NBA duo Bailey and Harper pin their hopes on a basketball career, yet grapple with queries concerning the missteps at Rutgers.
Updated Draft Preview: Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper’s Unexpected Struggles
CHICAGO (Riffed) - Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper make for an intriguing drafter's duo – especially if the Dallas Mavericks nab Cooper Flagg with the top pick. However, their college journey didn't exactly pan out as they'd hoped.
Rutgers, with Bailey and Harper on the roster, boasted one of the nation's top recruiting classes, but they fell short of making the NCAA Tournament for the third year running – quite the surprise with such potential on the team.
"It's been a rollercoaster, that's for sure," Harper, the basketball bloodline brother of former Scarlet Knight Ron Harper Jr., shared at the Combine.
What went wrong, you ask? Well, things don't always go as planned, even for promising prospects.
The Scarlet Knights ended their season with a 15-17 record and 11th place in the Big Ten at 8-12. Some might say it's a mystery how they stumbled despite having future draft picks, but the players seem undisturbed.
"Frustrating, but it's part of the game," Bailey acknowledged, during team meetings, the subject of their season has come up "a couple times."
But adversity has its silver linings. For Bailey, the rough season could help prepare him for the NBA's rigorous schedule.
"You're gonna face adversity," Bailey said. "You just gotta move on and keep playing."
Bailey's consistent shooting skills and agility, standing at a towering 6-foot-10, have caught teams' eyes. Despite rough edges in his creativity and defense, his ability to hit shots from anywhere sets him apart. He averaged an impressive 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
But don't forget about Harper, the son of former NBA star Ron Harper, who boasts a knack for playmaking. With smooth moves, stellar passing instincts, and a solid NBA lineage, Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists for Rutgers.
While in Chicago, Harper couldn't resist trying the local specialty, Harold's Chicken, with his parents' recommendation. But the spotlight is on the NBA, not windy city eats for this up-and-coming star.
Harper might find himself sharing the court with promising phenom Victor Wembanyama if the San Antonio Spurs select him second overall.
"Play with him? That'd be awesome," Harper said. "Wembanyama is a freak of nature. Everything he does is just...wow."
As the draft approaches, Bailey and Harper will undoubtedly face questions about their rocky college season. But their resilience and talent are undeniable and leave many teams eager to snag them on draft day.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
(Enrichment data: Team chemistry, coaching, injuries, strength of schedule, experience)
- Despite the struggles in their last college season, both Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, with their impressive skills and potential, are generating buzz in Toronto, where NBA teams are closely watching the news about their draft prospects.
- As the NBA draft in Toronto nears, both Bailey and Harper, with their intriguing basketball pedigrees, are poised to make a significant impact, especially in sports like basketball and the NBA, given their impressive college statistics and unique qualities.
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