Five-star basketball recruit Dylan Harper, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper Sr., introduced his determination to take his skills to Rutgers University in a surprising determination.
Harper’s determination was reported by ESPN previous to saying the choice on the Fanatics workplace in New York on Wednesday evening. Harper is finalizing an NIL take care of Fanatics as properly.
He is the No. 2 prospect within the Class of 2024, through ESPN, and the Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) product desires to stay in state to proceed his basketball journey below head coach Steve Pikiell.
![Dylan Harper runs on court](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/12/1200/675/Dylan-Harper.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Dylan Harper makes a move throughout the Pangos All-American Festival on August 27, 2022 on the McBride High School in Long Beach, CA. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images)
Pikiell has accomplished a improbable job recruiting for his Scarlet Knights squad, which simply missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth final season. Other than Harper, ESPN’s No. 3 total prospect Ace Bailey from Powder Springs, G.A. is heading to Rutgers as properly.
“I have a deep connection with the staff over a long period of time,” Harper mentioned, through ESPN. “Head coach Steve Pikiell, associate head coach Brandin Knight and assistant coach TJ Thompson. Staying at home means everything for me. It is exciting for me knowing everyone who got to see me grow up, like my family, friends and coaches, can see me play. Knowing that I can make a stamp in my home state has always been a thing for me.
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“[Pikiell] will get probably the most out of every participant and his staff. I belief him to do what’s proper for the staff. He is such an uplifting individual and coach. He is all the time serving to others whether or not it is on the court docket, in this system or in the neighborhood. He places others earlier than himself in every thing he does.”
Harper had many other offers across the country, including powerhouses like Duke, Kansas, Indiana and Auburn.
![Dylan Harper on court](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/12/1200/675/Dylan-Harper-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Dylan Harper looks on during the Pangos All-American Camp on June 5, 2022 at the Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, NV. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Harper’s older brother, Ron Harper Jr., also provided some insight on Rutgers to his younger brother, having starred there for four seasons before heading to the NBA.
“His recommendation to me was to select a faculty that’s finest for me and make it your determination,” Harper explained. “I noticed what an awesome participant my brother was there and the way profitable Rutgers was throughout that point. He had an awesome profession there. He was the most effective to play at Rutgers.”
Harper Jr. averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 121 games in four seasons, including his best year with 15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 32 starts for the Scarlet Knights his senior year two seasons ago. He now plays for the Toronto Raptors.
Harper’s play as a 6-foot-5 combo guard is one of explosiveness, where he can score from virtually anywhere. He averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the NY Rens in the Nike EYBL circuit.
![Dylan Harper looks on court](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/12/1200/675/Dylan-Harper-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Dylan Harper looks on during the Pangos All-American Festival on August 27, 2022 at the McBride High School in Long Beach, CA. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He’s also represented the country for the FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two games.
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