New York native Jose Alvarado:
"I'm not gon' sugar coat this, I was about to cry. Obviously, there's one more. But I'm in Madison Square Garden, in the fourth quarter, playing for something special ... It was really something I couldn't put in words."
Crazy looking back at this video now knowing where Dylan Harper is just four years later.
Back when @strictlybball was looking for someone in the NY/BK area to cover a game between Bryce James' Strive For Greatness (@TeamSFG_EYBL) and Dylan Harper's NY Renaissance (@NYRHoops), I jumped at the opportunity. I didn't have much filming experience, but I was a basketball junkie, and knowing there was a chance LeBron would be in the building made it an easy yes.
What I didn't expect was to walk away absolutely blown away by @dy1anharper.
At the time, Dylan was ranked around 28th nationally. He went for 32 points that day and looked like the best player on the floor by a mile. With all the attention on Bryce and LeBron sitting courtside, Dylan completely stole the show. It wasn't just the scoring either. At 16 years old, the game looked effortless for him. The pace, the feel, the poise, and the ability to get wherever he wanted on the floor. It was obvious he was special, and the rankings hadn't caught up yet.
I remember texting @nolannewberg and @jd3hoops, the founders of StrictlyBBall, afterward saying Harper was one to watch.
Fast forward 4 years.
Dylan has gone from being ranked 28th in the country to a Rutgers star, the No. 2 overall pick, and now a key piece on a Spurs team playing in the NBA Finals. He put up 16 points and 8 rebounds in Game 1 with real impact on both sides of the floor. The kid is the truth, and it feels like this is only the beginning.
Pretty cool full-circle moment and a reminder of why I fell in love with grassroots basketball in the first place. Sometimes you get to watch the future before everyone else realizes it.
Finally somebody in the media with sense. This is the real. If everyone moved away from their PTSD and their hate, they could respect us. Knicks are the truth. Historically.
Darren Mougey said the team asked multiple WRs in the pre-draft process who the toughest corner they faced in college was. Almost all of them who went up against D'Angelo Ponds said him
From IU to NY. Really can’t ask for much more. Was rooting for them regardless, but wow… fan for life now.
Omar Cooper Jr at #30. D’Angelo Ponds at #50. Winners in the building. Let’s get to work!! Go Hoosiers! @DangeloPondss@TheOmarCooper 💚✈️ #Jets#iufb#Indianafootball#NFL
Sad sights at Assembly Hall today. Fans heading for the exits with a minute left, and Reed Bailey getting booed in what’s most likely the last do-or-die game for IU’s tournament chances. Tough way to end DeVries’ first year. 🔴⚪️ #iubb#assemblyhall#marchmadness#NCAATournament
Absolute scenes at Assembly Hall. 78–77 Win as Hoosiers survive in Overtime 🔥
Alexis with 19 & 7 plus a monster defensive night (5 blocks).
Lamar Wilkerson 25–4–4 and the game-winning free throws.
Hoosiers basketball is back. 🔴⚪️ #iubb#hoosiers#assemblyhall#big10
Cignetti on what he’s seen at the team’s final practice and over the last 24 hours:
“It’s time to sharpen the saw now. Throw those warm fuzzies out the door.
You don’t go to war with warm milk and cookies.”
Another all-timer from Coach Cig. #iufb#cfp#NationalChampionship