Rutgers’ two prized freshmen lived as much as the hype of their first reside motion Thursday evening.
Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey showcased flashes of their excessive ceiling and superior shotmaking.
They dazzled from deep. They didn’t present jitters or nerves.
Even in a 91-85 exhibition loss to St. John’s at Jersey Mike’s Enviornment, it was the whole lot a Rutgers fan might have needed to see out of the 2 projected top-10 NBA draft picks who’ve created consideration and buzz for this Massive Ten program.
“Dylan is, for a freshman, so below management,” St. John’s coach Rick Pitino stated afterward. “He performs like a senior. He’s acquired lots of [Walt] ‘Clyde’ Frazier in the way in which he performs. He was superb and Ace Bailey simply has nice expertise. Each of them are nice. They deserve the rankings they’re getting.”
Harper was the steadier of the 2, notching 20 factors and 4 rebounds, whereas the 6-foot-10 Bailey the extra explosive with 25 factors and 4 made 3-pointers.
They each seemed deserving of the immense hype they’re receiving.
Greater than 20 NBA scouts have been readily available, together with basic managers from the Nets, Magic and Raptors.
At one level early within the second half, Bailey hit back-to-back deep 3-pointers.
Later within the sport, the 6-6 Harper reeled off six consecutive factors, first hitting a 3-pointer, then sinking a pull-up jumper and drawing the foul. Each repeatedly made powerful contested photographs all evening.
Down the stretch, St. John’s was the higher staff, erasing a 12-point second-half deficit.
However there was quite a bit to love for the Scarlet Knights, even when they have been overwhelmed soundly on the glass and on the brief finish of a 14-2 run to finish the exhibition.
“These two youngsters [Harper and Bailey] are proficient. I just like the items, too, that we surrounded these guys with,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell stated. “We will transfer items round, too. They’re nice youngsters, before everything. They’re actually good passers. They should be taught some issues, faculty protection is one thing they’re going to proceed to get higher at. However they’re thrilling. I’m grateful for this entire group. These two match proper in completely with us.”
