Former NBA veteran Randy Brown is a big believer in the potential for former Rutgers basketball stars Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. Both Harper and Bailey are locks to be top-10 picks in this week's NBA draft.
Harper is being popularly mocked as the second overall selection, a pick that is currently held by the San Antonio Spurs. He was an All-Big Ten selection at Rutgers who averaged 19.4 points per game and shot 48.4 percent from the floor.
Brown, who spent 13 years in the NBA, won three NBA championships during his playing career. After retiring in 2003, he spent time with the Chicago Bulls are their director of player development and then as the assistant general manager.
''I know a lot of people are comparing him to Jalen Brunson, and I can understand that comparison,'' Brown said on the Vegas Insider podcast.
''But he's a special talent. He's got size, his basketball IQ is off the charts, and he shoots it a lot better than what people initially think. I think the Spurs are setting us up to have Victor Wembanyama on TV a lot.
''Adding Dylan Harper to that mix is a great prospect. It would be different with the dynamic of being with De'Aaron Fox as well. But Dylan Harper is definitely a special talent. The Spurs are setting themselves up to add a bunch of talent around Wemby.''
The possibility of connecting Harper with Wembanyama is something Brown thinks could be exciting for the Spurs.
''Seeing those two together is interesting. Wemby handles the ball a lot and draws a lot of attention, so he needs to play with a lot of skilled players who can shoot at times,'' Brown said.
''Other times, he'll have to be involved in the pick-and-roll, which Dylan has shown he's a really good passer in the pick-and-roll. The chemistry will work with the way they play. I have to be careful with the way I use the term 'small markets' in the NBA, but as we can see, there are two teams in the NBA Finals who are small markets.
''I don't consider the San Antonio Spurs a small market; they're a franchise who are used to winning. So, adding Dylan Harper into the mix with Wemby I think is a scary combination. The Spurs are going to be around for a long time.''
The draft projection for Bailey is a bit all over the place, but the former Rutgers forward is a likely top 10 pick. Also an All-Big Ten selection with the Scarlet Knights, Bailey showed his athleticism and shot making ability last year.
He finished his lone season at Rutgers with 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He is being favorably compared to Paul George.
''Different dynamic between the two, but I like the kid. Looking at his size, I thought he was 6'8, then I'm hearing 6'9 and 6'10. He's long, athletic, and he kind of reminds me of Paul George,'' Brown said.
''He won't be on the draft board long because he's what the NBA is leaning towards. The NBA is leaning towards the youth. Guys who can run, jump, shoot, and guard are intriguing to NBA teams.
''Ace Bailey has a lot of tools, and a lot of skills that is going to help a team. For some reason, he and Dylan didn't do well at Rutgers. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure they were both bored and ready to get to the NBA.
''Ace Bailey is what the NBA is going towards. Athletes who are 6'9, 6'10 that can run, jump, shoot the ball, and play both ends.''