Rutgers makes unwanted history during big night at NBA Draft for ex-stars Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey
By: Brian Fonseca | Published: 2025-06-26 00:48:00 | Source: www.nj.com
A successful night at the NBA Draft for Rutgers was the latest reminder of the massive missed opportunity that will haunt the program and coach Steve Pikiell for years to come.
With former Scarlet Knight stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey being selected second and fifth overall by the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz, respectively, at the 2025 NBA Draft, they cemented a spot in an unwanted category for the college they represented for one year.
Rutgers is now the first — and, likely for the foreseeable future, the only — program in college basketball history to miss the NCAA Tournament while having two players who were picked in the top five of the subsequent NBA Draft.
Despite having the two elite talents, the Scarlet Knights were out of the March Madness conversation by mid-January,…
