PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The preseason accolades keep on coming for Rutgers men's basketball's freshman point guard
Dylan Harper.
After being named to the Big Ten Conference's official all-preseason team, Harper has garnered a national accolade as one of the best players in the country at his position. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named Harper to the Bob Cousy Award Watchlist.
The annual Bob Cousy Award, named after the Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard, celebrates its 22nd year by highlighting the top point guard in Division I men's college basketball.
"It's an exciting year ahead," Harper said at the team's local media day this offseason. "All 15 of us at Rutgers can play and we are excited to show what we can do. We all come out each day with the same common goal and look forward to contributing."
Harper was a standout guard from local Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey, who brings exceptional talent and a highly decorated high school career to the Scarlet Knights. Harper is the No. 2 player in the 2024 high school class, among the most highly anticipated recruits in Rutgers basketball history. Harper was named the MVP of the McDonald's All-American game and the National High School Morgan Wooton Player of the Year.
Harper is excited to play the point guard position alongside one of the nation's best scorers in guard and fellow freshman
Ace Bailey.
"Ace is honestly just a pro," Harper said of being able to play point guard with Bailey on his side. "Knowing I have someone like that on my team and the rest of my teammates is great. You know what you are going to get out of Ace every night."
Harper has already shown off his talents in preseason game action with 20 points in the 91-85 exhibition loss to St. John's at Jersey Mike's Arena on Oct. 17. He dazzled at The Knighthood Showcase intra-squad scrimmage at Jersey Mike's where he scored 17 points, had six assists, three rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes.
Rutgers and Harper will kick off the highly-anticipated season against Wagner on Nov. 6 at Jersey Mike's Arena.
The full 20-player watchlist is below:
| 2025 Bob Cousy Award Candidates* |
|
|
| Mark Sears |
Alabama |
|
Elliot Cadeau |
North Carolina |
| Jeremy Roach |
Baylor |
|
Markus Burton |
Notre Dame |
| Tyrese Proctor |
Duke |
|
Bruce Thornton |
Ohio State |
| Walter Clayton Jr. |
Florida |
|
Ace Baldwin Jr. |
Penn State |
| Malik Mack |
Georgetown |
|
Braden Smith |
Purdue |
| Ryan Nembhard |
Gonzaga |
|
Dylan Harper |
Rutgers |
| Myles Rice |
Indiana |
|
Zakai Zeigler |
Tennessee |
| Tamin Lipsey |
Iowa State |
|
Jordan Pope |
Texas |
| Dajuan Harris Jr. |
Kansas |
|
Wade Taylor IV |
Texas A&M |
| Josh Hubbard |
Mississippi State |
|
Elijah Hawkins |
Texas Tech |
