Blue Devils Lose Battle for Top-Tier 2024 Recruit

Originally posted on FanNation Blue Devil Country
By Matt Giles | Last updated 12/6/23

On Wednesday afternoon, Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) five-star senior Dylan Harper, who ranks No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite and has held a Duke basketball offer for over a year, announced his commitment to Rutgers. The Scarlets Knights were the home-state favorite.

The 6-foot-5, 180-pound crafty guard, the son of former five-star NBA champion Ron Harper and younger brother of recent Rutgers star Ron Harper Jr., had been down to five finalists since January. That list included Rutgers, of course, along with Duke, Kansas, Indiana, and Auburn.

But in the homestretch of Dylan Harper's recruitment, many insiders painted it as a two-horse race between the Scarlet Knights and Blue Devils.

With the commitment, Rutgers jumped to No. 3 in the team rankings on the 2024 trail. The Scarlet Knights already boasted the No. 3 prospect in the class and Harper's friend in McEachern High School (Ga.) five-star forward Ace Bailey.

Meanwhile, Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his cohorts enjoy the nation's top-ranked 2024 collection via early signatures from five heralded talents:

Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg (ranks No. 1)
North Mecklenburg High School (N.C.) five-star forward Isaiah Evans (No. 13)
Wisconsin Lutheran five-star forward Kon Knueppel (No. 16)
Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) five-star center Patrick Ngongba II (No. 22)
Paul VI Catholic four-star forward Darren Harris (No. 57)

Now, Long Island Lutheran High School (N.Y.) five-star guard VJ Edgecombe (No. 5) is the only undecided 2024 prep on the Blue Devils' recruiting wishlist.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

This article first appeared on FanNation Blue Devil Country and was syndicated with permission.

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