Only 17 Rutgers men's basketball players have appeared in an NBA game in program history. On Friday night, the Scarlet Knights added another milestone moment, with four former standouts competing in the NBA's Rising Stars tournament during All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Rutgers was well represented as Cam Spencer, Ron Harper Jr., Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey all took the floor, turning the annual showcase into a Scarlet Knights reunion on one of basketball's biggest stages.
"It's really special man, to be here and represent RU," Bailey said pregame. "We're all putting on for Rutgers and for New Jersey and we're just blessed to be here."
Former college teammates Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz) and Dylan Harper (San Antonio Spurs) reunited on Team Melo in the opening round, squaring off against Team Austin, which featured Dylan's older brother, Ron Harper Jr. (Boston Celtics). Bailey made an immediate impact, finishing with five points, four rebounds and two assists in Team Melo's 40–34 victory.
In the first-to-40 format, Harper Jr. was dominant on the glass for Team Austin, posting a game-high seven rebounds along with two assists in the abbreviated contest.
Dylan Harper added four points, one assist and one steal, but delivered the night's signature moment. With Team Melo needing one basket to reach 40, Dylan isolated against his brother and knocked down a step-back jumper over Ron to seal the win.
INSTANT REAX: @dy1anharper (joined by Ace Bailey) watches back his GAME-WINNER in @CastrolUSA Rising Stars against his big brother, Ron Harper Jr.! pic.twitter.com/ofsOqPPajG
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026
It was a good move, I'll give him," Harper Jr. laughed, recalling the moment with his brother after the game. "I knew what he was going to do when he was coming down the court. If a guy has the ball for 18 seconds, he better score."
Former Scarlet Knight Cam Spencer (Memphis Grizzlies) competed in the second semifinal for Team T-Mac, contributing five points, two assists and two rebounds in a loss to Team Vince Carter.
Bailey and Dylan Harper advanced to the championship round against Team Vince Carter. Dylan led Team Melo with eight points, but the squad fell just short in the first-to-25 final, dropping a 25–24 decision.
The Harper family and Rutgers will return to the spotlight Saturday night, as Team Harper — comprised of Dylan, Ron Jr. and five-time NBA Champion Ron Harper Sr. — competes in the Skills Challenge, airing at 5 p.m., adding yet another chapter to a memorable All-Star Weekend for the Scarlet Knights.
Dylan Harper and Ron Harper Jr. matching up in the Rising Stars Event is UNREAL. 🙌
📺 Peacock pic.twitter.com/dp4uxMSyu0
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) February 14, 2026