This story appears in SLAM 253.
It’s a gloomy Thursday afternoon in late September as Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper descend the steps of the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center—Rutgers’ still-new sparkling practice facility. The campus, tucked away in Piscataway, NJ, is quiet, but only for a moment. The freshman duo cross the street and arrive under the sky bridge that connects the practice facility to the Business School’s (also new) building.
The pair of six-story structures are wrapped in abstract silver paneling with crystal clear glass composing the full face of the main wing’s entrance. Ten white beams sit at an angle supporting the L-shaped walkway above. Black adirondack chairs and tables are sprawled out underneath the shade that the canopy above provides. It’s a sick scene. Flick worthy for sure.
As we wipe away rain that fell on the chairs just 15 minutes before, the doors of the building swing open. Class is out. Students wearing sweatpants, backpacks, slides and with iPhones in hands pour out of the automatic double doors.
Initially, the kids don’t pay any mind to the 6-10 and 6-6 freshmen who will be leading the Scarlet Knights into the 2024-25 season as one of the most talked-about teams in the country. And then Dylan starts messing with his boy.
“Free pictures with Ace Bailey! Ace Bailey’s here!” Dylan, who’s wearing a black Rick Owens jacket and black PRPS jeans, calls out to the crowd of students trying to make it to their next class. Ace isn’t having it.
Jared ebanks 