PISCATAWAY – The fall of 2024 welcomes a special buzz around the Rutgers campus.

The 2024-25 Rutgers men's basketball team has been preparing since June 15 for one of the most highly-anticipated seasons in school history. The Scarlet Knights were polled as the 25^th-best team in the nation, marking the fourth time in history they have been included in the Preseason Top 25 AP Poll.

Expectations have never been higher. The Scarlet Knights men's basketball staff recruited it's best freshman class ever, while also bringing in four pivotal transfer students and three key returners.

After eight years of steady growth under head coach Steve Pikiell, the Scarlet Knights are poised to make a national impact, which has led to season tickets being sold out at Jersey Mike's Arena since the beginning of the summer.

"Our expectations have always been high since I took the job," Pikiell said at Big Ten Media Day. "We play in a league that competes for NCAA bids and national championships, so we're no different. I think we have the pieces with the veteran guys, and the good leadership to go with the energy and talent of the young freshmen, but our goals stay the same. We want to win every game at Jersey Mike's Arena. That's been our goal and we have a program that I think could do that."

Pikiell is entering year nine of his Rutgers tenure and has not shied away from expressing his excitement this offseason. Many in the media are touting the Scarlet Knights freshmen class, as Pikiell and his staff were building the necessary experienced roster and leadership around his young core. Pikiell named redshirt senior Jeremiah Williams and transfer graduate student Zach Martini his two captains this offseason.

Williams, the Chicago native who returns as Rutgers' leading scorer from last season, was named captain after spending his entire summer training in Piscataway and encouraging his teammates to get in the gym. Williams knew from the day the Scarlet Knights disappointing 2023-24 season ended that he was staying in New Brunswick for the following season.

"I stayed here because Jersey is home for me now and I wanted to continue to show up every day and continue to get better, stay healthy," Williams said. "I spent a lot of time just shooting, putting up reps, and getting a lot of mixes in with different coaches on the coaching staff when they went on their recruiting trips, so I just wanted to stay here and continue to home in on my skills and show up every day."

Williams added that he's excited to be a captain of this historic upcoming season alongside Martini and will do what he can to put his team in the best position for success.

Martini, who is a graduate student in Rutgers Business School, played four years at Princeton including a story book 2022 Sweet 16 run. Pikiell said Martini was given the captain role after "earning everyone's respect and showing true leadership." Martini was the first addition to the 2024-25 roster via the transfer portal on April 9 after agreeing to meet Pikiell for a coffee at Starbucks where he laid out the vision for the season.
 
"Being that fifth-year guy who's been to the tournament and knows what it takes to win, I think those things can transfer over from the portal from one place to another, those winning habits," Martini said. "I think Pikiell believes in me as a winner and trusts in  myself and Jeremiah to lead these guys and we're ready to do it."

Martini said the team group chat is titled "2025 Big Ten Champs," a reminder not only of their goals, but also their expectations for this season. Pikiell has continuously compared Martini to a navy-seal who has the personality and confidence to fit into any culture and locker room.

Much of the anticipation for this year can be credited to the arrival of five-star freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey - two McDonald's All-Americans and the highest-rated recruits in Rutgers history. 

Harper comes with an abundance of accolades out of high school. The 6-foot-6 New Jersey native was named McDonald's All-American MVP, John Wall Holiday Invitational MVP, Jordan Brand Classic MVP, NJ Gatorade High School Player of the Year, and the list goes on.

He was also selected as one of 10 players to the Preseason All-Big Ten team, the only freshman, and named the No. 1 guard in the nation by college basketball analyst Andy Katz entering this season. Harper has been ranked as high as the No. 2 player in the 2024 recruiting class.

"The sky's the limit with us," Harper said. "All it takes is a run in college basketball. You see teams like Kemba Walker's and Carmelo Anthony's, all it took was one run to win the National Championship, so I'm not going to put a ceiling on us. I think the sky's the limit for us, and honestly, we're only going to go as far as we work."

Dylan is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and younger brother of Rutgers basketball legend Ron Harper Jr. Not only did he want to represent his home state and continue the Harper legacy, but he also wanted the chance to play alongside his good friend and five-star counterpart, Ace Bailey.
 
Bailey has earned numerous honors throughout his high school career as well. A consensus top three recruit, Bailey was named Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year, first-team all-state by the GHSA Boys Basketball Committee, and participated in prestigious events such as Team USA U-17, the Nike Hoop Summit, and the Jordan Brand Classic. Bailey is considered one of the most versatile players in the country and was named the No. 3 wing in the nation by Katz. Bailey committed to Rutgers after deciding between 12 schools, including powerhouse programs like Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Bailey has also been ranked as high as No. 2 in the incoming freshmen class and is listed as high as No. 1 overall in mocks for the 2025 NBA Draft.

"I came to Rutgers because of loyalty. That's what I'm big on," Bailey said. "Loyalty. They've been showing loyalty since the day they recruited me with consistent phone calls. Consistently asking about my parents. Consistent with the whole staff coming to the games, just showing loyalty and love."

While Bailey is excited to play with Harper and under Pikiell's coaching staff, he'll also be reunited with one of three Rutgers returners and his childhood friend from Chattanooga Tennessee, Jamichael Davis.

Davis, also known as "J-Mike," spent his summer in the weight room gaining 15 pounds of muscle. Pikiell has high praise for the 175-pound sophomore guard, describing him as an "efficient scorer," "someone good at taking care of the ball," and an "elite defender." J-Mike leaves everything on the floor and was named one of 20 "under-the-radar breakout players" by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

"[I] definitely [worked on] a lot of strength," J-Mike said on his offseason production. "Making sure I was in the weight room getting bigger. Just all aspects of the game. Playing at a better pace, worked on a lot of shooting, and just really getting better every day."

The final returning member for the Scarlet Knights is 6-foot-10, 275-pound junior center, Emmanuel Ogbole. Like Williams and J-Mike, Ogbole was glued to the gym this offseason, shredding down to six percent body fat. Pikiell believes Ogbole is "way more physical" than any big man who has been in the program before him.
 
"I bring lots of energy and momentum," Ogbole said. "I block shots, play defense, and put the ball in the hoop. We're going to have fun and I'm excited to get this going. I'm cheerful, try to have fun out there, and just be myself."

The biggest acquisitions this offseason came in the form of four transfer portal players. Junior Jordan Derkack out of Merrimack, fifth year PJ Hayes IV out of San Diego, graduate student Tyson Acuff out of Eastern Michigan, and Martini.

Derkack is excited to join Rutgers and represent his home state. He has built relationships with former Rutgers stars, such as Geo Baker, who have helped acclimate him to the culture. His skill set, toughness, and competitive edge make him a key addition to the team, where he brings a championship mindset and leadership qualities.

Last year, Derkack led Merrimack in scoring with 17.7 points per game, earning NEC Player of the Year and NEC Defensive Player of the Year. Derkack emphasizes playing hard from start to finish when on the floor.

"I do a little bit of everything," Derkack said. "I love to get downhill. On the defensive side, I'm a crazy person. I'm guarding the best player and that's what I'm looking to do. I'm looking to bring energy to this team and bring some leadership both vocally and by example."

Hayes, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter, worked off 20 pounds this offseason. He and his teammates who focused on changing their body composition have credited the strength and conditioning program at Rutgers for pushing them to become the player they are striving to be. Hayes also credits his experiences before Rutgers at the Division II level and is excited for his intensity and offseason work to show on the court.

"I think the biggest thing I learned was a lot of people are going to not think that you have a chance and not think highly of you," Hayes said. "I think just push into adversity and stick to it even when it sucks, and sometimes it sucks at the Division 2 level, and I think that's where I developed the mindset I have now where I treat every day like it's my last."
 
Pikiell added that they've had shot-takers in the past, but Hayes is a shot-maker, with as quick of a release as anyone in the program prior.

Another shot-maker joining the program is Acuff, who ranked seventh in all of Division I points per game last season, averaging 21.7. He is known for creating his own shot, driving and converting at the rim, and showcasing his dynamic play-making and high energy on the court. Acuff suffered a foot injury early in the offseason, saying it tested his mentality and spirituality, but has since fully recovered and is ready to play.

"I'm super excited to be here at this institution, first and foremost," Acuff said. "Rutgers basketball has shown so much love and it's been an exciting journey from recruitment to summer, so I'm just ready to get out there."

Bryce Dortch, Dylan Grant, and Lathan Sommerville round out the historic freshman class. According to ESPN.com, Rutgers has the third-best recruiting class in the nation, and Pikiell says all five newcomers will play a role throughout the year.

"We needed to get some guys who could shoot the ball, but I was really focused on getting toughness - guys that were tough," Pikiell said. "And I think we brought in some tough guys and obviously some talented freshmen that I'm very excited about. They can do a lot of things. Multi-position guys, all five of them will play, and we're just in a great league with great coaches and you fight every day and try to get better and stay healthy."

Sommerville is a 6-foot-10, 275-pound center and joins Rutgers as a top 100 prospect out of Illinois. He is known for his shooting ability and exceptional passing, and is expected to make a significant impact in the Big Ten. Sommerville spent part of his childhood overseas where his father had a successful basketball career, helping him become multilingual. Both Sommerville's parents played Division I college basketball.

"Both of [my parents] playing has impacted me a lot," Sommerville said. "They inspire me to do this every day and do it at a high level. Also to just lock into what I'm trying to do in my goals and be consistent in that. My dad playing abroad, has done a lot for me and my game. It allowed me to adapt to situations and has helped me as a player become more of a playmaker, pass-first type of guy."

Grant joins the Scarlet Knights as a 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward from Canada. He spent his high school career in Michigan where he worked hard to become the No. 1 player of his class in the state. Another versatile athlete, Grant is known for his balanced scoring ability and defensive prowess. He is proud to have represented Team Canada on the U-18 team, gaining significant international experience before reaching the college level. Grant is very close with his mother, Sparkle, who he credits for making sacrifices that allowed him to reach where he is today.

"It was a new experience for me playing in America," Grant said. "I didn't really know much, players out there didn't really know much about rankings. So I was just out there playing my hardest, trying to get offers, just playing to the best of my ability, trying to make a good impression on my coach. In my first couple of games, I didn't start, so just being able to get into the starting lineup and then eventually getting put on rankings was a great experience." 
 
Dortch, the final freshman recruit, is a 6-foot-9 versatile forward, a great ball-handler, and brings lots of energy to the Scarlet Knights. Watching him on the defensive end reminds Pikiell of former Rutgers star Caleb McConnell, in the way he is able to defend multiple positions. Dortch is proud to play for Rutgers while coming from Massachusetts and loves the quick chemistry the team has constructed thus far.

"From the first day to now, [the team chemistry is] basically the same," Dortch said. "Everyone came in, you kind of knew each other, but we all just clicked. We're all really close. We spend most of the day with each other, whether it's here practicing, or it's off the court in classes, you'll always see at least one of each other."

The Scarlet Knights round out their 15-man roster with three walk-ons in freshmen Max Fradkin, Nate Freisthler, and Peter Noble.

The Big Ten Conference got even bigger starting this season with the addition of four schools - Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC. 

"A hard league got harder," Pikiell said at Big Ten Media Day. "I said that travel doesn't affect us as much - they're going to sleep for three hours on the flight or four hours, whatever it's going to be, they're going to be sleeping, but it's an exciting league with great coaches and talented players and I think this is going to be one of the greatest years in college basketball."

Even with all the moving parts in the conference, former Rutgers basketball star and Knights of Honor member Mike Dabney, who played from 1972-76 including the 1976 team that went 31-0 in the regular season and reached the Final Four believes RU has their best team in school history.

"I fully believe that not only will this team live up to all of the hype and expectations, but they will exceed them," Dabney said. "This is the most talented team in Rutgers history and that's counting our Final Four team!"

The Scarlet Knights have sold out their past 64 home games over the last three seasons, not including this upcoming season at Jersey Mike's Arena, which is already sold out. 

"We have the best home court advantage in the country," Pikiell said. "The fans do a great job. Every game is televised. This arena is jumping every time we play in it. Our league is the national stage. I like home games. I like our fans coming out. We're sold out every game."

Rutgers hosted St. John's in a thrilling back-and-forth season preview exhibition match on Oct. 17, falling just short 91-85 in the final minutes. Harper and Bailey combined for 45 of the team's 85 points.

The Scarlet Knights's official season opener is Wednesday, Nov. 6 against Wagner, hosting the first of four games to start the year before hitting the road for the following five, including a tournament trip to Las Vegas.