Basketball season, high school and college, is officially in the books.

Rutgers is in uncharted territory. The Scarlet Knights are preparing to welcome their best recruiting class in program history. A group headlined up Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey is currently ranked third in the nation, behind only Duke and Kentucky.

Harper and Bailey are both five-star players ranked in the top five in the nation overall. Both players are expected to be lottery picks in the 2025 NBA Draft. This makes Rutgers a team that is hoping to make a run to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, but that’s not it.

Rutgers also has multiple three stars coming in. Lathan Sommerville leads the way at 6-foot-9. Bryce Dortch and Dylan Grant will also be part of the class. Steve Pikiell has been working in the transfer portal as well, adding Eastern Michigan guard Tyson Acuff and Princeton forward Zach Martini.

Harper and Bailey both impressed during the McDonald’s All-American game. Harper was named Co-MVP and made Scarlet Knight fans excited about the future. It was a bit of a down year for Rutgers as it prepares to transition into a new age with Harper and Bailey.

Overall, Pikiell has recruited well and built a strong culture in Piscataway. Now, he is bringing in his best recruiting class that will have huge expectations in 2024-25.