Since he was hired in 2019, Nate Oats has coached three freshmen who eventually became first-round NBA draft picks, including Brandon Miller, the former SEC Player of the Year and the No. 2 pick in 2023.

Mark Sears scored 24 points and No. 9 Alabama hung on for a 95-90 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday night at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

“Only five D-I freshmen have had 36 points, six rebounds and six assists since 2010: Dylan Harper is the first since Trae Young in 2018,” Rutgers said in their postgame notes.

Dylan Harper, the third-ranked recruit from the class of 2024, has had a fantastic start to the season with Rutgers. In four games, the 6-foot-6 guard is averag

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

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.