PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball's Dylan Harper has been named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week. Harper, the first-year guard from Franklin Lakes, N.J. led the Scarlet Knights to two victories over Saint Peter's 75-65 and Monmouth 98-81.
 
Harper becomes the first Scarlet Knight named Freshmen of the Week since his brother Ron Harper Jr. won the award six seasons ago on March 4, 2019. Harper's recognition marks the fourth RU player to be named Freshman of the Week since Rutgers joined the conference in 2014. 
 
Harper joins a list of three great Rutgers basketball alums Ron Harper Jr. (18-19), Geo Baker (17-18), and Corey Sanders (twice in 2015-16) to receive the award.
 
Harper was the Scarlet Knights leading scorer in both victories and averaged 22 points per game last week. He scored 20 points, 6-9 from the field, and a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line in the victory over Monmouth Friday night. He added two threes, five rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in the win.
 
On Monday against the Peacocks, he was the game's leading scorer with 24 points, six rebounds, and one assist. He shot 8-17 from the floor and made all but one of his eight free throw attempts.
 
Harper matched RU's all-time scoring leader Phil Sellers as the lone RU freshman to begin their career with three 20-plus point performances. Sellers did not reach 20 points in his fourth game 52 years ago in 1972-73.
 
The last Rutgers freshman to score 20+ points in any three consecutive games was Corey Sanders (Feb. 3-13, 2016). Harper has been a mainstay in the Rutgers rotation and currently leads the Big Ten Conference in usage rate (31 percent).