Dylan Harper Prospect Write Up

Dylan Harper: A Modern NBA Cornerstone in the Making

Dylan Harper

 6'6", 215lbs

Dylan Harper, guard for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, has emerged as a standout talent in college basketball. Alongside fellow projected top-5 pick Ace Bailey, Harper has showcased a skillset and physique tailor-made for the modern NBA—despite Rutgers’ struggles, finishing the 2024-25 season with a 15-17 record and missing the March Madness tournament. His game suggests a brighter future than his team’s performance might indicate.

Harper’s stats tell part of the story. As of March 14, 2025, he’s averaging 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game over 28 games, per Sports-Reference.com. His field goal percentage sits at 48.7%, with 34.5% from three-point range and 73.8% from the free-throw line. While his assist numbers are modest at 3.9 per game, this reflects Rutgers’ below-average roster, forcing Harper to shoulder much of the offensive load. A highlight came on December 30, 2024, against Columbia, where he notched a triple-double (16 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists)—the first by a Scarlet Knight since 1983.

What sets Harper apart is his rare combination of size and speed. His first step and downhill burst are anomalies for a player north of 6'2" and 200 pounds—traits more common in smaller guards between 5'11" and 6'2". This explosive athleticism, paired with his ability to create his own shot and facilitate as a playmaker, makes him a unique prospect. This package at 6'6 is something that cannot be taught. He's just going to be bigger than a majority of guards on him, and with added with his skillset he's going to be a coaches dream guard in the NBA.

Compared to his teammate Ace Bailey, an offensive juggernaut, Harper offers more versatility. While Bailey thrives as a scoring force, Harper’s game translates better to the NBA’s demands. He can handle the ball, create plays, and defend on the perimeter—though his defense has room to grow. His hip flexibility and footwork sometimes lag, allowing smaller guards to blow by him, and he occasionally lacks the defensive burst he displays on offense. Staying engaged on that end will be key to his development.

Harper’s overall profile draws parallels to Cade Cunningham, the 2021 NBA Draft’s No. 1 pick. Like Cunningham, Harper boasts a polished, well-rounded game with a knack for scoring off the dribble—he’s even faster than Cade was at a similar stage. However, Cunningham was a superior passer in college, averaging 6.2 assists per game at Oklahoma State, while Harper’s playmaking is still evolving. In almost any draft not featuring a generational talent like Cooper Flagg, Harper could easily go first overall. That said, his NBA transition might not be immediate. Unlike in college, where he can leverage his size, professional defenders will stay in front of him more effectively. His scoring efficiency may dip early on, much like Cunningham’s did with the Detroit Pistons, where roster construction and coaching took years to align with his strengths. Harper, too, will likely land on a struggling team as a high draft pick. Yet, his skillset—highlighted by a 55.1% true shooting percentage and a 24.6 player efficiency rating at Rutgers—makes him the kind of player you build a franchise around. https://youtube.com/shorts/NmRQEyuBscU?si=XTCmGYBODIwbMNCK

Player Comparison: Cade Cunningham

Harper mirrors Cunningham’s blend of size, scoring, and potential as a lead guard. While Cunningham’s passing gave him an edge in college, Harper’s superior speed and downhill attack could make him an even more dynamic threat on offense. With the right development, he’s poised to become a cornerstone for an NBA franchise.