Rutgers men’s basketball has announced its second addition during the early signing period on Thursday as 3-star forward Dylan Grant made it official. The 3-star forward from Canada committed in late August after a strong summer on the Nike EYBL circuit.
“We’re really excited about Dylan Grant officially becoming a Scarlet Knight,” head coach Steve Pikiell said. “First and foremost, we are getting a wonderful young man from a great family. He’s an athlete, a rebounder, an inside-outside scorer, and the ultimate defender of all five positions. Rutgers fans are going to love him and most of all they are going to love his energy.”
This is a big recruiting win for first year assistant coach Marlon Williamson. Grant plays for “The Family”, a Michigan AAU program that Williamson previously coached at and ran. Rutgers landed Grant over offers from Cincinnati, DePaul, Loyotila-Chicago, VCU, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and Oakland among others.
“It was a great fit for me to join Rutgers,” Grand said. “I had a connection going way back with the assistant coach Marlon Williamson, so that also really helped me make it feel like home right away. Coach Pikiell was very welcoming to me on my visit, and he made me feel like he really wanted me. So, that was ultimately why I decided to commit.”
This past July at the prestigious Peach Jam, Grant averaged 15.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in five games. He shot an impressive 61.2% from two-point range (30-49) and was 15 of 20 from the foul line for 75.0%. Grant scored in double digits in all five games, scored 20+ points twice and recorded a double-double.
He also has international playing experience as Grant competed for the U-18 Canadian National Team at the FIBA U-18 Americas Championship in Mexico in 2022. He averaged 4.7 points per game and 3.8 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game in helping Canada reach the semifinals.
“Growing up in Canada, I would say basketball is a very local, small-town thing,” Grant said. “I was just grinding there, and I always had these dreams. I’ve never thought I would end up here at Rutgers, but I am just thankful for all the opportunities that came up to allow me to get connections from Canada over here. Being from Canada means everything to me.”
Grant plays scholastic basketball in Michigan after moving from up North. He averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks as a junior playing for Michigan Collegiate high school.
ESPN rates Grant as a 4-star prospect while he is listed as a 3-star ranked No. 159 nationally in the 247 Sports composite rankings. Grant is rated the top recruit in Michigan in the 2024 class and No. 36 power forward.
Rutgers is getting a player who is athletic, versatile and plays with a physicality well suited for the Big Ten. As an undersized four at 6’7″, Grant is a strong rebounder and finisher around the rim. He’s developing as an outside shooter while he has the 5th most dunks on the Nike EYBL circuit this past summer.
The Scarlet Knights have now signed Grant and Top 150 wing Bryce Dortch, who was announced on Wednesday. 5-star wing Ace Bailey announced on social media that he was signing his letter of intent on Saturday, November 11. 4-star center Lathan Sommerville has stated he will sign on the last day of the early signing period on Wednesday, November 15. The 2024 recruiting class for Rutgers is currently ranked No. 8 nationally in the 247 Sports composite rankings. It marks a historic group of incoming prospects joining the program for the 2024-2025 season.
“It’s actually very exciting that we got such a great recruiting class,” Grant said. “It’s going to be fun to work with the guys and get better with them to compete. You got a lot coming to New Jersey for next season.”
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thevinman
November 9, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Two down and a few more big ones to go.