Rutgers Star Dylan Harper Enters 2025 NBA Draft

Dylan Harper announced Monday that he is declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft.

The news was expected following his freshman season at Rutgers. A 6-foot-6 point guard, Harper is expected to be one of the top picks in the upcoming draft.

In his lone collegiate campaign, Harper averaged 19.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.4 SPG. Teams will covet his scoring ability, passing vision, and size at the point guard position. The southpaw is adept at creating space and attacking the paint with a live dribble. His outside jumper is still a work-in-progress (33.3 3PT%), but he showed a willingness to take difficult looks and had a handful of excellent shooting nights throughout the year.

Big guards are all the rage in today’s NBA. And, it’s not only because of their obvious advantages on the offensive end. Taller and stronger guards are supremely valuable defensively. The Oklahoma City Thunder are on pace for 70 wins, and the Detroit Pistons — the most improved team in the league — are able to configure unique lineups and strategies because their 6-foot-6 lead guards allow them to do so.

Having guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cade Cunningham who can hold their own defensively, disrupt passing lanes, and even protect the rim is a major luxury. Harper — who weighs 215 pounds with a reported 6-foot-10 reach — boasts that same type of two-way potential.

Although he has yet to declare, Duke’s Cooper Flagg will likely be the No. 1 pick. Harper will be one of several prospects in the running to be selected No. 2. Baylor combo guard VJ Edgecombe and 6-foot-10 wing Ace Bailey, Harper’s college teammate, will also be in the mix.

Harper’s father, Ron Sr., played in the NBA for fifteen seasons. He was selected 8th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1986 NBA Draft and was an All-Rookie First team selection. Later in his career, he won five NBA titles as a member of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers playing alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.