The star power of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey was supposed to bring about a season of great excitement for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. However, now that the team has lost in the first round of the Big Ten tournament, their season is over. Harper and Bailey put on one final show in a Scarlet Knights jersey as they will undoubtedly declare for the 2025 NBA Draft.
Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey Pour in 44 Points in Final Game for Rutgers
You won’t find a duo in all of college basketball with more NBA hype surrounding them than the pair of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. The 6-foot-6 freshman guard Harper has been getting buckets all season and has athletic ability that few others do. The 6-foot-10 Bailey is equally skilled, especially for his size, and has impressed many this season. The duo had one last game together on Wednesday before they begin to focus on preparing for the NBA Draft.
Against USC, the two did all they could to keep their season alive, but ultimately fell to the USC Trojans 97-89 in double overtime. Harper played 46 minutes and scored 27 points, while Bailey played 33 minutes before fouling out and ending with 17 points.
While it wasn’t Harper’s best statistical day (he was just 9-21 from the floor and had 5 turnovers), the freshman showed great fight and willed his team to stay in the game. He had 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals to go with an impressive 27, showcasing versatility and a variety of skills.
“That is an ELITE move.” 🗣️
Dylan Harper with the spin and finish for @RutgersMBB 🔄#B1GMBBT on Peacock 💻 pic.twitter.com/1hLQKgbfed
— Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) March 13, 2025
Bailey was unable to add one more double-double to the 7 he had amassed over the course of the season, but still had 7 rebounds and 3 steals. His activity on defense remains eye-catching, and his skill for a player of his size is reminiscent of many current NBA stars. Bailey certainly projects as a high-level player.
What Does the Future Hold for Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey
Harper and Bailey’s names are practically written in permanent marker for the 2nd and 3rd overall picks, respectively, in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. While neither figure to take over Duke superstar Cooper Flagg for the #1 spot, the Rutgers duo are rated as the clear-cut second and third most sought-after players by experts.
With their seasons officially over, the final freshman stats are certainly dazzling. Harper finished with an average of 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Harper’s signature game this season was a 36-6-6 performance in a win against Notre Dame, a contest which also went to overtime.
Meanwhile, Bailey tallied up 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks. His career-high in points came against Indiana, where he scored 39, while his most impressive overall performance might have been his 37-point performance in a win over Northwestern, where he shot a scorching 5-8 from deep.
Fans of Harper and Bailey will now eagerly await the NBA Draft Lottery to see where the dynamic duo are likely to end up.
For More Great Basketball Content
Follow @HardwoodHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the NBA and college basketball, click here!
