Rutgers’ expectations for this season have been constructing to a fever pitch ever since two five-star highschool recruits dedicated to this system.
They don’t seem to be simply any two five-stars, both, however potential future NBA gamers who have been usually ranked second and third within the Class of 2024: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.
Rutgers believes it has constructed a formidable crew round Bailey and Harper for 2024-25. The Scarlet Knights are ranked No. 25 within the AP preseason ballot and can open a singular season Wednesday in opposition to Wagner in Piscataway, N.J.
Bailey is a 6-foot-10 Atlanta-area native who will likely be used throughout the court docket, however primarily at ahead and wing. Harper is a lead guard whose brother Ron Harper Jr. was top-of-the-line gamers in latest Rutgers historical past. Bailey truly dedicated earlier than Dylan Harper, and their long-distance friendship and occasional alternatives to play with each other throughout the summer season helped kind early chemistry.
They mixed for 45 factors, six made 3-pointers and 9 rebounds in a 91-85 exhibition loss to St. John’s in October.
“These two children are gifted. They’re nice children and so they’re actually good passers,” coach Steve Pikiell mentioned. “They undoubtedly should be taught some issues. School protection is one thing they are going to proceed to get higher at.”
The Scarlet Knights’ three returning gamers are guard Jeremiah Williams, a captain; guard Jamichael Davis, a highschool teammate of Bailey; and Emmanuel Ogbole, who might be the crew’s beginning middle after lacking most of final yr recovering from a knee damage.
Rutgers is often recognized for its protection and had one of many worst offenses in power-conference basketball a season in the past (65.4 ppg). Along with Bailey’s and Harper’s contributions, the Scarlet Knights will lean on transfers like Tyson Acuff, Zach Martini and PJ Hayes.
Acuff (Jap Michigan) ranked seventh within the nation at 21.7 factors per recreation final season however will begin the season off the bench in a restricted function. Martini (Princeton) shot 38.5 % from 3-point land as a junior and was named co-captain with Williams. And Hayes (San Diego) shot practically 40 % from the arc as a freshman and did not miss a shot within the exhibition in opposition to St. John’s (4-for-4, together with two 3-pointers).
Wagner was tied for first with Central Connecticut State atop the Northeast Convention preseason coaches’ ballot. The Seahawks completed sixth final season however then ran the desk within the convention match and defeated Howard within the NCAA Match First 4.
The Staten Island faculty rewarded coach Donald Copeland with a brand new five-year contract.
After accidents restricted his roster to seven wholesome scholarship gamers at match time, Copeland is glad to have again gamers like Javier Ezquerra (7.0 factors, 4.4 assists per recreation final season), Keyontae Lewis (6.9 factors, 5.4 rebounds) and Zaire Williams (9.3 ppg in 9 video games earlier than a season-ending damage).
“It is going effectively. We’re working arduous,” Copeland instructed PIX 11 in the summertime. “The gamers are jelling collectively, which I believe is at all times good presently of yr … We’re capable of put in some issues that I believe will assist us come fall.”
–Subject Stage Media
