And finally, the NBA now has not one, but two new players from Rutgers University.

Scarlet Knights standouts Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey became the two highest draft picks in Rutgers basketball history, cementing their spots during last week's NBA selection.

As Ted Goldberg reports, they'll be taking their talents to the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz, but the two young players are Scarlet Knights for life.

(upbeat music) It's been a busy week for former Rutgers standouts, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.

Everything's kind of a blur.

The ex-Scarlet Knights are taking their talents to San Antonio and Utah, thrilled to be the only top five picks in Rutgers history.

Just seeing your name on a NBA jersey for the first time, it's probably one of the best feelings besides from getting your name called.

So just seeing my name on a jersey, that number two, and just seeing that on a Spurs jersey was amazing.

They called my name, I was selected.

It was very emotional, the time when my mom, I mean, she's crying, the whole table crying, 'cause they know the hard work and the sacrifices we made for me to be in this position.

Not just me, but my family also.

Bailey will suit up for the Jazz after they nabbed him at fifth overall.

He'd be the highest drafted Rutgers player ever, if not for Harper, who went second to the Spurs.

Both players are confident they'll make an instant impact in the NBA.

I think my confidence and all that comes from all the work I put in.

I feel like I'm one of the hardest working people out.

I just know how much work I put in, but at the same time, I mean, you still gotta be humble because, just how quick you get everything, I mean, everything can go away.

So just having that mentality and that mindset, just being humble and just not thinking you're better than anyone else.

I got great energy.

I mean, I can do everything from rebounding, from defense to scoring, to passing.

So I can say I could bring it a lot in different ways.

At Don Bosco, Harper became one of the top high school recruits in the country.

Before following his brother, Ron Harper Jr., who played four years at Rutgers himself, Bailey grew up in the South.

While he also played well at Rutgers, he raised eyebrows ahead of the draft by choosing not to work out for any teams.

I trust my work.

I mean, I've countless hours in the gym.

I mean, everything that I do.

So I trust that.

I mean, everybody make mistakes.

God didn't put us here to be perfect.

So just trust myself and just trust my process.

Bailey denied reports that he didn't want to be drafted by Utah.

As for Harper, he'd like to be the third straight Spurs player to win rookie of the year.

I don't think I feel no pressure, but I definitely want to keep that going.

That's definitely a goal of mine.

But I mean, probably my biggest goal is just getting better every day and just taking it day by day, step by step, and just learning from everyone I can.

These kids have been through a lot of obstacles.

They stayed the course.

Steve Pichel coached Harper and Bailey last year and spoke after the draft last Wednesday.

See kids have their dreams come true at 18 years old.

You know, the sweat that they put in, I saw that.

I was at the 6 a.m. workouts.

He says their success is also success for Rutgers, at least in terms of recruiting players who also want to be high draft picks in the NBA.

Trust me, it helps when you say these two kids' names.

It opens doors.

Hopefully now we can, you know, talk guys into, you know, if you want to be a lottery pick, you can come to Rutgers.

You know, it's happened to two guys.

Harper and Bailey both put up nice numbers for the Knights last year, though the team missed the NCAA tournament and lost more games than it won.

Harper's focus is now helping the Spurs get another title, adding to the five banners already hanging up in their rafters.

You know, growing up, we were like, these are one of the teams you always want to play for and just seeing their dynasty and just keep wanting to build on them banners, like you just said, and want to add a few more.

So, I mean, it's definitely been great and I've been having a great time.

For me, just wanting to come in and just whatever coach asked me to do and whatever's the best for the team, I'm gonna go out there and do.

Eagle-eyed beachgoers might've noticed these planes down the shore last weekend, wishing Harper and Bailey good luck.

They've got about four months until the NBA season starts, plenty of time to adjust to the big time from the Big Ten.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Ted Goldberg.

(upbeat music)