Dylan Harper, Don Bosco basketball star, makes USA U-19 national team
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A summer of high profile hoops for Dylan Harper will tip off with a three-letter uniform across his chest: USA.
The Franklin Lakes resident, who just wrapped up his junior year at Don Bosco Prep, has made USA Basketball’s under-19 team, which will participate in the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Hungary. The tournament runs from June 24 to July 2.
The 6-foot-5 guard, who is ranked as the No. 1 recruiting prospect in the Class of 2024 by 247Sports, is one of just a handful of high-schoolers to make the 12-man squad along with several collegians. Also on the squad is former St. Peter’s Prep star Mark Armstrong, who just wrapped up his freshman year at Villanova. The team is coached by University of Colorado head coach Tad Boyle.
“It’s a great representation,” Harper told USA Today. “I’m not just playing for myself or my family, I’m out here playing for all Jersey and everything I stand for.”
The experience kick-starts two months of high-profile basketball — and a lot of folks will be watching closely. Earlier this year he named Rutgers, Duke, Kansas, Indiana and Auburn as finalists. His older brother Ron Harper Jr. was a four-year starter at Rutgers and won the 2022 Haggerty Award as the best player in the metropolitan area. Ron is now on a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors; he appeared in nine NBA games this past season.
Earlier this week, Dylan Harper told USA Today that a commitment announcement will come “probably during my high school season” next winter.
Here is Harper’s summer schedule according to his mom Maria Harper, who is also a basketball coach:
June 23 to July 2: FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Hungary with Team USA.
July 2-9: Peach Jam, the summer’s premier AAU Tournament, in Georgia
July 11-17: In Las Vegas to watch his older brother Ron Harper Jr. in the NBA Summer League and work out with him
Aug. 3-6: CP3 Point Guard Camp in Las Angeles (Chris Paul’s invitation-only camp for the top high school and college lead guards)
Aug. 10-13: Nike Academy at Nike headquarters in Oregon
Aug. 18-20: SLAM Summer Classic in New York City
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
Read More: Dylan Harper, Don Bosco basketball star, makes USA U-19 national team 2023-06-16 15:10:07