By Michael Siroty
The basketball world has come to learn Dylan Harper’s name, and he created even more buzz on Wednesday when he committed to Rutgers. Harper made his announcement via social media to become the Scarlet Knights’ highest-rated recruit in program history.
Dylan Harper, a standout point guard of Don Bosco Prep in the class of 2024, has recently broken out after a journey of making a name for himself. Not too long ago, he found himself overshadowed by the legacy of Ron Harper, Dylan’s father and a former NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, and Ron Jr., the older brother of Dylan and a former Rutgers standout.
Harper’s improvement required perseverance, hard work, and a relentless passion for the game. In the early days of his high school career, Dylan often found himself cast in the shadows of his family's basketball legacy, and was not seen as a top player in New Jersey, let alone America.
Dylan was determined to carve out his own identity on the court. Rather than succumbing to the pressure of his family name, he embraced the challenge, working tirelessly to refine his skills and prove that he was more than just a basketball pedigree. Day in and day out,Dylan honed his craft, gradually transforming from a promising player into a force to be reckoned with.
As Harper’s skills grew, so did the attention from colleges across the nation. Rutgers, a program on the rise that has also signed Ace Bailey, the nation’s No. 3 recruit, as well as three other three-star recruits, recognized the immense potential within Dylan, who was in attendance for many of Ron Jr.’s games at Jersey Mikes Arena. The Scarlet Knights saw Dylan as someone with the potential to define the future of their program.
The commitment of Dylan Harper to Rutgers is a testament to his journey, one that saw him rise from the shadows of his family to the top of high school basketball.
For Dylan, this commitment is not just an announcement, but a statement that he is ready to make a name for himself and his home state’s school.
As Dylan Harper takes his talents to the collegiate level, the basketball world eagerly awaits the next chapter in his remarkable journey.
Dear Piscataway, get ready to chop.