For Dylan Harper, his first year of college basketball was anything but predictable. The highly regarded recruit joined Rutgers with immense expectations. He was ready to make an immediate impact alongside fellow star freshman Ace Bailey.
Scarlet Knights started the season ranked No. 25 in the AP poll, with fans anticipating a breakout year. However, as the season unfolded, Rutgers faced more adversity than success, leading to an outcome far different from what Harper had envisioned.
Dylan Harper Reflects on His Rollercoaster Freshman Season
Despite the high hopes, the Scarlet Knights failed to live up to expectations. They finished the season with a disappointing 15–17 overall record and an 8–12 mark in Big Ten play. Their campaign came to an abrupt end with a first-round exit in the Big Ten tournament. That’s where they fell to a struggling USC team that also had a losing record of 16-17.
Although the season did not unfold as planned, Harper remained appreciative of the experience. He is also thankful for the lessons he learned along the way. Reflecting on his freshman campaign, he shared his gratitude for being part of the Rutgers program.
“Just fortunate for the great time I had here at Rutgers,” Harper told Sports Illustrated.
“Even though it looked like we had a lot of ups and downs, I had a great season with a great group of guys and great culture staff. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but just things I’ve taken away in the season is just really [how] I’ll go about my everyday life, it’s the little things that I gotta do.”
Harper’s performance stood out even amid the team’s struggles. The star freshman averaged an impressive 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 48.4% from the field across 29 appearances.
With Rutgers opting out of any postseason tournaments, Harper’s college career has likely come to an end. He, along with teammate Bailey, is expected to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft, where both are projected as lottery picks.
A Bright Future Despite Rutgers’ Disappointment
Despite the team’s inconsistency, Harper has fond memories of the season’s high points. The Scarlet Knights may not have made a deep tournament run. However, they had their share of thrilling moments.
Harper played a key role in snapping Nebraska’s 22-game home winning streak, hitting a game-winner against in-state rival Seton Hall, and helping a comeback win over UCLA.
“I definitely have a lot of great memories off the court with my guys as well,” Harper said, emphasizing that his freshman year was filled with moments of camaraderie and growth.
Growing up in a household deeply connected to basketball, March Madness was always a major event for Harper. As the son of former players Ron and Maria Harper, he vividly remembers watching the NCAA tournament all day, both at home and in school.
Though he won’t be participating in March Madness this year, he still plans to tune in and cheer his friends. They include Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford, North Carolina’s Elliot Cadeau, and Baylor’s Rob Wright.
While Harper’s immediate future remains uncertain, he has already secured an exciting partnership with Kinder Bueno. This March, he is teaming up with the brand to launch the “Bueno Buckets” giveaway. That’s where fans can enter for a chance to win a year’s supply of Kinder Bueno chocolate bars through his Instagram post.
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As for what comes next, Harper is taking things one step at a time. While the NBA Draft looms, he remains focused on soaking in the moment and appreciating everything he has gained from his time at Rutgers. The season may not have gone as planned, but Harper’s journey is far from over—it’s just getting started.
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