With his back-to-back standout performances in Las Vegas, Rutgers star Dylan Harper is causing some experts to reexamine who should be the No. 1 overall pick in next summer’s NBA Draft.

Dylan Harper dropped a career-high 36 points and Rutgers fended off Matt Allocco and Notre Dame 85-84 in overtime to conclude a wild first day of the Players Era Festival on Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

Rutgers basketball lost its second game of the 2024-25 campaign, but Dylan Harper is transcending himself with another sensational outing.

“Dylan Harper IS the best freshman in the country. On back to back nights, Harper scored 36 and 37 points. Notre Dame and Alabama had no answers. When he’s going downhill, left or right, he’s unstoppable.” -- Bryan DeNovellis, Tri-State College Basketball Podcast.

It's that time of year to say what you are thankful for. When Rutgers basketball fans sit around the Thanksgiving table, they should be adding Dylan Harper’s name to that list. The Rutgers freshman has been nothing but dominant since his first tip off on the banks.

The Rutgers basketball team has had an up and down start to its highly-anticipated season, but its two freshmen have not disappointed. Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper — two projected top-five picks in the 2025 NBA Draft — have carried a massive burden for the Scarlet Knights as they navigate a very difficult non-conference schedule.