Dylan Harper was sensational again for Rutgers, helping the Scarlet Knights secure a 95-85 win over USC on Sunday night. The freshman guard's impressive 25 points re-energized what seemed to be a dormant Rutgers season just one week ago. Harper's stellar performance caught the attention of Basketball Hall of Fame member Tracy McGrady, who witnessed the game at Jersey Mike's Arena. One of Harper's dunks left McGrady speechless as he appeared on the big screen with his mouth wide open.
After the game, Harper reflected on the moment, saying, "It's obviously a blessing just because growing up, watching him and Tracy McGrady saying my name, shouting me out and stuff like that's amazing. I'm just going to keep on working. Time is going to come, time is going to come." This performance was not just about the points; Harper came just one assist shy of achieving a double-double.
Harper's recent form has been nothing short of remarkable. Following his midweek performance where he poured in 34 points against Washington, he now stands as one of the best point guards in college basketball. His performance against USC helps Rutgers clinch a record of 14-14 and 7-10 within the Big Ten conference. It's clear for Rutgers: they will rely heavily on Harper for the upcoming challenging contests, including games against No. 12 Michigan and No. 13 Purdue.
Harper effectively attacked the rim but was particularly accurate from beyond the arc, hitting 4-of-8 from three-point range. "Stuff happens – get hurt stuff like this. You can't predict any of it – only God can," Harper added, displaying resilience and determination. Head coach Steve Pikiell highlighted the significance of sharing the ball and adjusting to different defensive tactics, praising Harper's nine assists and six steals. "That's one of the hard parts of our league, we don't play teams twice, so you can make adjustments the second time," he remarked.
Across the league, another impressive performance came from Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who continues to establish himself as one of the top players not just within his team, but also within the history of the NBA. Now in his eighth season, Tatum is already touted as one of the greatest players in Celtics history, joining conversations with legends like Bill Russell and Larry Bird.
During Sunday’s matchup against the New York Knicks, Tatum achieved another significant milestone by scoring over 20 points, which marked his 361st such game at age 26 or younger. This impressive feat placed him 10th on the all-time list for players under 27, surpassing iconic player Tracy McGrady. Next on the list is the legendary Shaquille O’Neal, who had 364 of these games. With four more games slated before Tatum's 27th birthday, there’s tremendous potential for him to climb even higher on this prestigious list.
Currently boasting a record of 41-16, the Celtics rank as one of the top teams, aiming to repeat as champions. If successful, they would become the first team to accomplish this feat since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors. Tatum is focused not just on personal accolades, but on achieving greater success with his team.
Both Dylan Harper and Jayson Tatum are leading figures representing the bright future of the NBA. Harper’s raw talent and determination showcase potential future stars ready to make their mark, just as Tatum solidifies his legacy with every game he plays, merging individual milestones with team success. Their journeys reflect the electrifying energy and narratives within the league, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike as they continue pushing boundaries and setting records.