The 2025 NBA Draft is loaded with high-level talent, including Rutgers Scarlet Knights’ point guard Dylan Harper. A terrific scorer from the moment he stepped on the court this season as a true freshman, Harper is in the thick of the conversation as a potential top-five pick in the 2025 draft.
A five-star recruit, he’s lived up to expectations and established himself as one of the best freshman in the nation with a bright future at the next level. Our Dylan Harper scouting report dives into an immensely talented 6’6″ point guard, examining his strengths, areas of improvement, NBA Draft projection, and a potential career outlook.
Dylan Harper Scouting Report
Size: 6’6″, 215 pounds (Unverified)
Key Stat: Recorded the first triple-double for the Scarlet Knights since 1983 when he compiled a stat-line of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in a victory over Columbia on Dec. 30.
Projected Role: Primary ball-handler, creator
Strengths:
- Shot-creation off the bounce
- Solid first step getting by defenders and uses his body well to shield them off
- Finishing ability at the rim
- Above-average rebounder for his position (4.9 rpg)
- Competitive defender in isolation situations
- Creates shots for others while driving downhill (team-leading 4.1 apg)
- Get to his spots — mid-range, in the paint, at the rim — very well
- Footwork off two feet in the paint
Areas to Improve:
- Has moments of forced, tough-looking shots
- Three-point shooting questions on how it will translate to the next level (33.7%)
- Effort defensively at times
- Off-ball movement and comfortability
- Not a world-class athlete, foot speed in the open court could improve
Ceiling: Offensive engine, All-Star, All-NBA, No. 1 option on contending team
Floor: Bench point guard; Solid passer running the show but a below-average shooter, potential liability defensively
Player Comp: Jalen Brunson
Dylan Harper NBA Draft Outlook
Harper, the son of former Chicago Bull Ron Harper, has shown he’s comfortable in the spotlight. Rutgers began the season ranked No. 25 in the country, and although their season hasn’t gone the way they thought, it’s not because of Harper.
His stat-line of 19.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.1 apg is very unlike a true freshman prospect at the Power Four level. His ability to take over a game was evident early on — in just his sixth and seventh games of his collegiate career, he poured in 36 and 37 points against Notre Dame and Alabama, respectively.
His feel for the game is excellent for a young player as well. He’ll be 19 years old at draft time, providing a long runway for a rebuilding team.
His defensive effort will raise questions in the drat process. Can he be a requisite team defender, or will opposing offenses target him?
When in direct isolation defense, Harper has demonstrated solid tools led by his competitive nature — but those moments are few and far between, coming too inconsistently to consider him a good defender.
He is — and potentially will be at the next level — carrying a large load offensively, excusing some of those defensive issues but also leading to the demand of better conditioning.
As a projected top-five pick, it will be interesting to see the order of the draft once the NBA Draft Lottery commences on May 12.
While Duke Blue Devils’ star Cooper Flagg is seen as the consensus No. 1 pick at the moment, Harper is in the mix right behind him as the sort of oversized ball-handling, playmaking guard that many teams covet.
With the ability to blow past defenders and use his body to create open space, his game has the potential to translate well to the next level.
Exactly where he’s drafted will likely be a question all the way until draft night. But one thing is for sure: whichever NBA team drafts Harper should be elated by the talent, potential, and excitement that he’ll bring to the franchise.
Potential Career Outlook:
Harper will likely be handed the ball right away by an NBA franchise — teams at the bottom of the standings often don’t have an established lead ball-handler in place. Allowing Harper to grow on the job will be best for his future development.
There will be growing pains as there always are with rookie guards. Harper averages 2.2 turnovers per game — expect that number to go up. But in the long run, Harper could become a high-level scorer, creator, and franchise player.
A player comparison as far as scoring ability goes is New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson. A fellow lefty, Brunson scores at will with his crafty footwork down low and finishing ability at only 6’2″.
Harper is 6’6″; with further development of Brunson-like footwork and finishing, the Scarlet Knights’ star could be a nightmare for NBA defenses. Brunson has built himself into an above-average three-point shooter at 39.8% — Harper is still figuring out that part of his game.
It’s promising that his mid-range jumper as well as shooting form are pure, but the numbers from deep haven’t been there. Early in his career, defenders will likely go under screens against Harper, feeling good about their chances if he fires from deep.
In order to reach his full potential in the long run, Harper will have to make defenders pay for that maneuver. If he becomes even a solid three-point shooter, he’ll be a true three-level scorer while rebounding at a solid rate and assisting for others — a true elite-level offensive hub.
His floor may be concerning to some. Defense is not his calling card, so if he doesn’t become the lead-scoring and assisting guard that many expect he’ll become, there is potential for disappointment.
Harper wouldn’t be considered a terrific athlete in a sport of world-class athletes — if he’s not able to create space and beat defenders off the dribble at a high level, in turn limiting opportunities for others, he may fall into a role as a sixth-man or average starting point guard.
If his lack of athleticism nulls his strengths in isolation, he’ll be reliant on the pick-and-roll to create. Teams picking high in the draft hope to build around a player who doesn’t need a specific archetype next to him — but if Harper fails to develop, he may fall to victim to that sentiment.
But at only 18-years old, he should have the requisite time to develop with an NBA team in order to reach his full potential.
Bottom Line:
Harper serves as a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft. The lows could lead to firings in a front office — but the highs could bring championship banners with the immense talent Harper brings to the table.
If his craftiness and creativity perfectly translates to the next level, and he develops his shooting, Harper has the potential to be a perennial All-NBA member at the next level — as many believe he’ll be.
Draft Projection: Top 5 Pick
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