When Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey played basketball, whether it was during the high school season or on the AAU circuit, they could almost always count on someone to be in the stands. Ta.
Rutgers men's basketball head coach Steve Pikiell.
Pikiell and other members of the Rutgers program have been mainstays in their gyms for years. They could be playing a game on the moon and Pikiell could have found a way to get there.
Loyalty has always been important to Bailey, and Rutgers was one of the first programs to reach out to him. Even as he skyrocketed up the recruiting rankings and offers poured in from the likes of Kentucky and Kansas, Pikiell and Rutgers were there, as always.
Because it stood out, he committed to join the Scarlet Knights in January 2023, more than a year before he graduated from high school. After the overtime win over Ohio State, Bailey entered the Rutgers locker room and told Pikiell of his commitment.
Piquele put his arm around him and pointed at his team, but when Bailey realized what had happened, he burst into cheers and tousled his hair.
“He's a very genuine person,” Bailey says of Pikiell. “He cares. Not only on the court, but off the court. He'll make sure you're okay off the court.”
Pikiell is in his ninth season leading a Rutgers program he brought in from the Big Ten basement, aiming for a top-half finish and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He defeated the AP's No. 1 team and led the Knights to back-to-back March Madness berths for the first time since the 1970s.
The waiting list for tickets to the Rutgers Athletic Center, now known as Jersey Mike's Arena, is about 1,400 people. When we arrived at Rutgers University, we weren't sure if we'd be able to get 1,400 students into the stands.
But he is the last man to take credit for the change.
“Head coaches are overvalued,” Pikiell said. “We have a riot squad, we have a marketing team, our band is great and they're into it. We also have cheerleaders and dance teams and their families coming. We really need everyone.”
That mindset expands when asked about the recruitment of Bailey and Harper, two five-star freshmen who are expected to lead the Scarlet Knights to new heights this season. He took time to highlight the other three freshmen, praising Lathan Somerville's approach, Bryce Dortch's athleticism and Dylan Grant's athleticism.
“My staff did a great job,” Pikiell said of the hiring process. “They all wanted to play with each other.”
That rise helped Rutgers land Bailey and Harper, five-star freshmen with NBA prospects. The show had already paved the way for Harper after his older brother Ron Harper Jr. starred on Piscataway for several years.
The family aspect plays a big role at Harper, and Pikiell took the time to emphasize how great the Harper family is in his program. Harper Jr. spends a lot of time around Piscataway and, like many other Scarlet Knights alumni, still uses Rutgers' facilities when he needs training.
“We wanted him to know that we would take care of him just like we would take care of his little brother,” Pikiell said. “We were lucky that he gave us that opportunity.”
With Bailey and Harper around, NBA scouts spend a lot of time practicing and scrimmaging at the RAC. The two even spent a day training together with NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo at a Nike Basketball event in New York City.
Bailey cites Antetokounmpo as a role model in the NBA, along with Kevin Durant, Paul George and Jayson Tatum.
The two will advance to the next level, and each is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. But first, he wants to have a memorable season with Rutgers.
