Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are two of the best prospects in the NBA Draft, but can they add to some recent history?
Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are two of the standout prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Rutgers backcourt duo are expected to be big stars.
Harper is considered the standout point guard prospect in this year’s draft class. So much so that the Brooklyn Nets are trying, to no avail, to trade up to land him.
As for Ace Bailey, the same can be said for him among the shooting guards. He is also projected to be a top lottery pick like Harper.
But should both players get selected in the top 5 of the NBA draft this year, they will be resurrecting a long-running tradition among top draft picks.
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Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper could become next great college duo
Both Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are projected to be top 5 picks in this year’s NBA Draft. If that comes to pass, they will be the first pair of college teammates to be drafted in the first round since 2019.
The last pair of teammates to do so were Duke teammates Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, who went first and third, respectively.
In fact, over the last 10 years, Zion and Barrett have been the only teammate duo to go top-5 in the NBA Draft.
This used to be a common occurrence in years past. In fact, between 2012 and 2014, collegiate teammates would be picked in the top 5 each year.
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Rutgers pair hoping to emulate Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love
One of the most successful pairs of teammates to get drafted in the NBA Draft together were Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook and Love were picked 4th and 5th, respectively, after successful stints at UCLA. Westbrook went on to become one of the greatest point guards ever and an MVP.
Kevin Love was a key All-Star when the Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA championship. This level of success should be the benchmark for the Rutgers pair.
Harper and Bailey are generational talents who teams will be vying to get their hands on ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.