BB Recruiting 2024 five-star guard Dylan Harper updates recruitment

[Richie O]

 

[JudgeSmails56]

Longest recruitment ever

 

[MLBash93]

The update "I don't know"

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Hate interviews like this that force these kids to describe themselves. It is unnatural to talk about yourself like that. The stuff about the recruiting was fine.

 

[RUBlackout7]

Hope we play well this year…

 

[BillyC80]

So anytime between now and May.

 

[Doctorzit]

The fact that he keeps stalling means he is truly enticed by the other offers and is unlikely to come to Rutgers. If it were not for Dylan's brother rutgers would have absolutely no chance. If this kid were coming here he would have already committed. Too bad.

 

[RU82]

Doesn’t sound like he’ll be be making a commitment anytime soon.

 

[rufamily]

The fact that he keeps stalling means he is truly enticed by the other offers and is unlikely to come to Rutgers. If it were not for Dylan's brother rutgers would have absolutely no chance. If this kid were coming here he would have already committed. Too bad.

Or he simply likes the recruiting process and wants to get everything he can from these programs. I would imagine that his Mom will have a big say in where he goes ultimately. I also think that while we don't want to believe that NIL is part of his decision, I am sure it probably is now with some heavy hitters in the NIL world coming after him.

 

[LeapinLou]

I give her an A for effort. She tried 3 separate times to get him to give a date when he would commit and he gave the same answer all 3 times.

I think RUFamily has it right. The longer he keeps the door open, the more the NIL and other offers will continue to come his way. As the NCAA season goes along, something may catch his eye.

One thing to keep in mind. It's not like these schools will say "we're offering now, but when the ship's full, you'll miss out". That doesn't work here because he can wait until Labor Day and a school will still find a scholarship.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I am Dylan Harper (pretending for a minute)

I am going to play one year of college basketball
I wouldnt mind trying to get as much $ as possible
I want to have the best experience possible in my 1 college year
I don't mind the positive attention and it is cool going to college games in the front row and having crowds cheer for me
Every team will find a spot for me whenver i make my decision

Why the heck would I announce where I want to play now.

Let's see how various teams and their rosters play out over '23-'24 season
Let teams and their fanbases continue to fight each other over $
Enjoy being courted. Go to FB and BB games

 

[BillyC80]

Listening to that interview, I got the distinct impression that Dylan wants everyone to know he’s his own man — that it’s his decision and not the influence of his family or the fact that his brother played for RU.

By delaying the announcement (even if he’s already committed mentally), it adds to the perception that he and only he is the final authority on his career path, i.e., “I’ll decide when I’m ready.”

 

[MiloTalon13]

Why the heck would I announce where I want to play now.

If he announced now for Rutgers, he'd be even more of a rockstar than he is now in NJ
If he announced now for somewhere out of state, he'd be less enthusiastically received (putting it mildly)
I hope he chooses Rutgers but I can see one line of reasoning for why he's waiting that isn't good for RU

 

[Chris95]

So to summarize - “I’ll commit to which ever school offers me the most money, and I’ll play each school against each other to buy me.” Kids going to play 1 year and then be rich beyond comprehension with his NBA contract! It’s no longer about loyalties, education, facilities, teammates, state pride, family, or college experience. It’s only about greed!

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

If he announced now for Rutgers, he'd be even more of a rockstar than he is now in NJ
If he announced now for somewhere out of state, he'd be less enthusiastically received (putting it mildly)
I hope he chooses Rutgers but I can see one line of reasoning for why he's waiting that isn't good for RU

I am guessing it could be 2 and possibly 3

1. $
2. How good will Rutgers be
3. What will the offense look like this year

 

[rubjk]

The fact that he keeps stalling means he is truly enticed by the other offers and is unlikely to come to Rutgers. If it were not for Dylan's brother rutgers would have absolutely no chance. If this kid were coming here he would have already committed. Too bad.

You’d think he was going to Kansas this weekend. This is how 5 star recruiting goes.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

He is not going to tip his hand until he is ready to announce. I think the fact that he hasn’t bothered to try and schedule Kansas and Auburn is pretty telling.

He does not need to see this year’s offense, it is irrelevant. If/when he comes, the offense will be whatever he and Ace want it to be.

Letting this play out for a while may be less about NIL from schools, and more about raising his social media profile to allow him the negotiate real advertising deals with companies who are interested in getting in early on an expected top 5 draft pick. More buzz around him and more followers gives him leverage to ask for more money.

 

[NickRU714]

I give her an A for effort. She tried 3 separate times to get him to give a date when he would commit and he gave the same answer all 3 times.

I think RUFamily has it right. The longer he keeps the door open, the more the NIL and other offers will continue to come his way. As the NCAA season goes along, something may catch his eye.

One thing to keep in mind. It's not like these schools will say "we're offering now, but when the ship's full, you'll miss out". That doesn't work here because he can wait until Labor Day and a school will still find a scholarship.

Another issue could be other schools missing out on targets and putting a full court press on Dylan.

It's not likely because Dylan could already pick his spot on any team and go there. He's really in the driver's seat.

But for example, beloved UConn is basically striking out with every target it seems. They are out now but what if they consolidate all their resources on just Dylan and try to get back in the picture.
(Have no info on their recruiting at all or if they even target Dylan).

Or some other top schools.
Think of the Cam situation. After the regular portal window closed, he became much more valuable to certain schools because they missed out on the rest.

 

[RUBlackout7]

Ace > Harper

 

[RutgersChow]

Don't even care. I love the attitude of the already committed players. We'll be good and exciting to watch without him. He wants the ball in his hands. He wants the offense to run through him, and he's going to be here for one year. Already one of my least favorite Rutgers players. If he really cared about RU he would have already committed.

 

[RRRRUUUU]

You guys need to chill. The comment on “longest recruitment ever” - not really for a top 3 player. We’re just not used to being in the convo. Goes with the territory and it’ll all work out just fine

 

[RutgersChow]

In two years our back court is going to be really, really good without him.

 

[poRtUgal]

When did "you know, you know, you know" change to "like, like, like....

 

[RutgersChow]

Another issue could be other schools missing out on targets and putting a full court press on Dylan.
os
It's not likely because Dylan could already pick his spot on any team and go there. He's really in the driver's seat.

But for example, beloved UConn is basically striking out with every target it seems. They are out now but what if they consolidate all their resources on just Dylan and try to get back in the picture.
(Have no info on their recruiting at all or if they even target Dylan).

Or some other top schools.
Think of the Cam situation. After the regular portal window closed, he became much more valuable to certain schools because they missed out on the rest.

Cam is a totally different situation - money mattered. I really don't think Dylan's decision has anything to do with NIL, or very little. He comes from a wealthy family and he is guaranteed to make millions in just a couple of years. This is about Dylan getting everything else that Dylan wants - guaranteed he won't be loved by everyone else on the team.

 

[cm_13]

You guys need to chill. The comment on “longest recruitment ever” - not really for a top 3 player. We’re just not used to being in the convo. Goes with the territory and it’ll all work out just fine

Exactly. Five of the top ten 2024 recruits are still uncommitted.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

Cam is a totally different situation - money mattered. I really don't think Dylan's decision has anything to do with NIL, or very little. He comes from a wealthy family and he is guaranteed to make millions in just a couple of years. This is about Dylan getting everything else that Dylan wants - guaranteed he won't be loved by everyone else on the team.

https://fb.watch/nBgRyxEjz8/

 

[RUDiddy777]

You guys need to chill. The comment on “longest recruitment ever” - not really for a top 3 player. We’re just not used to being in the convo. Goes with the territory and it’ll all work out just fine

He’s also had a lot of other stuff that’s probably taken priority over his recruitment - USA b-ball camps and such. He’s narrowed it to 4 schools (I’m not counting Indiana). It’s not like he’s out there soliciting offers and flying out to every school that’s expressed interest.

 

[ecojew]

I think the fact that he and Ace are close and have played together on several occasions works in our favor. It wouldn't surprise me if he commits during his visit this weekend when Ace and the other commits are all here at the same time. It will be a big celebration!

 

[Saint Puppy]

So to summarize - “I’ll commit to which ever school offers me the most money, and I’ll play each school against each other to buy me.” Kids going to play 1 year and then be rich beyond comprehension with his NBA contract! It’s no longer about loyalties, education, facilities, teammates, state pride, family, or college experience. It’s only about greed!

If you were going for a job with multiple companies you would do the same exact thing - you would get the best deal you could. If I was advising a recruit I would tell him to get the best deal that's possible out of a handful of schools - since Dylan is a top 5 recruit waiting is probably a pretty good strategy. That's the landscape this whole thing lends itself to this.

I've said it before, but if you were explaining this whole thing to somebody who knew nothing about it - that a bunch of adults were not only sitting on edge for the whims and decisions of an 18 year old prima dona, but would also throw money at them to choose them they would rightfully think that was the most insane thing they ever heard. Welcome to Recruiting!

 

[Scangg]

It's not that the money is irrelevant for Dylan. It's that he could potentially take slightly less money at Rutgers if that's where he wants to be. Rutgers still would be offering a large amount of money and need to be at least competitive with NIL

Auburn supposedly offered a little more for Ace but Rutgers was in the ballpark and it was enough to get the job done

Same type of thing could happen with Dylan

 

[devoted2ru]

I was hoping he might give some indication of a decision by the end of the early signing period, but going by that interview it appears that's not really in the cards. (Emphasis on the word "appears", 'cause in recruiting who really knows what's going on no matter how many interviews are given?)

But whether Dylan ends up coming here or not, (and make no mistake, I'd LOVE for him to play for RU), the fact of the matter is this isn't a young man who'll be sticking around for very long no matter where he chooses to play, and regardless of the DH situation, I'm still really amped about the future of Rutgers hoops.

So for now, anyway, from my own personal standpoint, I think I'll be putting the saga of Dylan's recruitment on the back burner in terms of focus. This could very well end up being a rather long, tedious affair, perhaps even going on until next May, (and I do understand the young guy's reasons for wanting to get everything he can out of this whole process). -But still, it does get a little tiresome after a while. So, the bottom line is if he comes, he comes, and if he doesn't, well then, he doesn't. ...We'll be fine either way.

 

[NickRU714]

It's not that the money is irrelevant for Dylan. It's that he could potentially take slightly less money at Rutgers if that's where he wants to be. Rutgers still would be offering a large amount of money and need to be at least competitive with NIL

Auburn supposedly offered a little more for Ace but Rutgers was in the ballpark and it was enough to get the job done

Same type of thing could happen with Dylan

This has always been my guess (and hope).

Thanks to NIL, Rutgers can at least offer the "minimum" to get in the door now with elite recruits and then let HC Pike and staff work their magic to close the deal.

Previously we couldn't even get in the door because we were offering zero while other schools offering bags.

It's much easier for Ace to give up a little extra money than previously having to give up all the money in order to pick Rutgers.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

The fact that he keeps stalling means he is truly enticed by the other offers and is unlikely to come to Rutgers. If it were not for Dylan's brother rutgers would have absolutely no chance. If this kid were coming here he would have already committed. Too bad.

I wouldn't say this as a definitive thing, but I also get the feeling that the dynamic you are describing has some element of legitimacy.

 

[Doctorzit]

Don't even care. I love the attitude of the already committed players. We'll be good and exciting to watch without him. He wants the ball in his hands. He wants the offense to run through him, and he's going to be here for one year. Already one of my least favorite Rutgers players. If he really cared about RU he would have already committed.

Exactly! A lot of individuals keep saying ultimately his mother will decide. Money rules everything these days and MOM is no different. A big payday will change her opinion about Rutgers. Loyalty, a good education, pride in your home state etc., etc. are meaningless these days. Money rules!!!!!

 

[Rutgers25]

He doesn’t owe Rutgers anything and it’s not like he’s constantly teasing or disrespecting RU on social media. This isn’t a Jared Guarantano type situation. He’ll decide when he feels like it and I’m confident that we’ll be fine either way. Trust in Pike!

 

[RUHouston]

Richie still has his futurecast for RU.

I trust Richie!

 

[Westcoast]

I am guessing it could be 2 and possibly 3

1. $
2. How good will Rutgers be
3. What will the offense look like this year

I suspect it's #4...
4. "I want my announcement to be an "event" and have some mystery surrounding it".
I really think kids want their moment and with all the press attention speculating he's going to RU, I think he wanted to make sure there was still suspense in the announcement. Right now it would be anticlimactic to announce for RU.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I am guessing it could be 2 and possibly 3

1. $
2. How good will Rutgers be
3. What will the offense look like this year

Nah. The roster from this year won’t look enough like the one for next year to matter. The thing that should make you happiest is the tie in to Ace. Ace should be your favorite 5 star player ever. No frills. Committed early to Rutgers for the simple reason that this is where he wants to be. Yes - we’re paying him, but I’m sure he could get more in plenty of places. He’s coming because he wants to be a part of Rutgers.

And a big reason we’re such a serious contender for Dylan is because he likes the idea of playing with Ace. They are good buds and have chemistry playing together. This year’s team won’t change that.

The thing we have going for us most is that Don Bosco is playing on RU campus twice. That’s huge and allows the “show” of attention to continue into the HS basketball season if he picks us.

 

[hinson32]

The fact that he keeps stalling means he is truly enticed by the other offers and is unlikely to come to Rutgers. If it were not for Dylan's brother rutgers would have absolutely no chance. If this kid were coming here he would have already committed. Too bad.

That is a pretty bad take on the situation.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Another issue could be other schools missing out on targets and putting a full court press on Dylan.

It's not likely because Dylan could already pick his spot on any team and go there. He's really in the driver's seat.

But for example, beloved UConn is basically striking out with every target it seems. They are out now but what if they consolidate all their resources on just Dylan and try to get back in the picture.
(Have no info on their recruiting at all or if they even target Dylan).

Or some other top schools.
Think of the Cam situation. After the regular portal window closed, he became much more valuable to certain schools because they missed out on the rest.

This is why waiting makes sense