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.

Star freshman Dylan Harper put on a show in Las Vegas as Rutgers pushed the Alabama Crimson Tide to their limit on Wednesday night

Rutgers freshman stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey combined to score 59 points in Wednesday's loss to Alabama, a performance that had Tide coach Nate Oats calling them "two of the most talented players,

“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.

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.

Rutgers basketball fell to Alabama in a close 95-90 battle in the Players Era Festival at MGM Grand Garden. Rutgers guard Dylan Harper rose to the occasion against the Crimson Tide, despite the loss.

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.

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.

When Rutgers and Notre Dame get together, 40 minutes in regulation is just not enough. It’s been two years since the Irish outlasted Rutgers in a high-scoring, overtime battle in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.