‘Best freshman in the country’: What they’re saying about Rutgers star Dylan Harper’s epic showing vs. Alabama

Dylan Harper put himself on the map against Notre Dame on Tuesday, then cemented his spot as one of the bets players in the country against Alabama on Wednesday.
The Rutgers freshman was the best player on the floor during his team’s 95-90 loss to the No. 9 Crimson Tide at MGM Grand Arena on Wednesday night, very nearly willing them to an upset victory that would have earned a spot in the championship game at the Players Era Festival. He finished with a career-high 37 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the floor and a 15-of-16 clip from the free throw line.
By following up his 36-point outing in a win over Notre Dame on Tuesday, Harper is the first Division I freshman to score 30 points in back-to-back games in 20 years, per ESPN Stats and Information. And he did it in the span of 24 hours.
Harper’s offensive explosion against the top-10 Tide caught a lot of eyes across the college basketball world.
Here is what they said about his performance:
“Diaper Dandy superstar Dylan Harper … is simply AWESOME BABY!” — Dick Vitale, ESPN analyst and former Rutgers basketball assistant.
“Came in a losing effort, but another virtuoso performance from Dylan Harper. … Special player.” — Jeff Borzello, ESPN.
“Dylan Harper is the most exciting offensive prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft” — USA Today’s “For The Win”
“Dylan Harper is so much fun to watch. Such a high basketball IQ, doesn’t get sped up, plays like a pro already running the team. Just always seems to produce.” — Jeff Goodman, Field of 68.
“Dylan Harper starting his Thanksgiving cooking early this year. Just an awesome player and an awesome game tonight vs. Alabama.” — Sam Vecenie, The Athletic.
“Dylan Harper IS the best freshman in the country. On back to back nights, Harper scored 36 and 37 points. Notre Dame and Alabama had no answers. When he’s going downhill, left or right, he’s unstoppable.” — Bryan DeNovellis, Tri-State College Basketball Podcast.
“Dylan Harper is the best freshman in college basketball.” — Sam Federman, Mid-Major Madness.
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at [email protected].