Jonathan GivonyMar 31, 2025, 03:19 PM ET
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- NBA draft analyst and author
Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal scouting and analytics carrier utilized by NBA, NCAA and world groups
Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper, the projected No. 2 pick out, introduced Monday on ESPN’s “NBA As of late” that he’s going to claim for this yr’s draft.
“I’m going to have in mind all of the existence classes this season,” Harper informed ESPN. “The ups and downs and just right and unhealthy. Staying leveled.”
He used to be named third-team All-Giant Ten and to the all-freshman group after averaging 19.4 issues, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals this season.
Harper broke the freshman scoring document at Rutgers whilst completing because the fifth-best scorer within the Giant Ten, appearing his attainable with a number of scintillating performances. He gave the impression en path to difficult Cooper Flagg as a possible No. 1 pick out candidate early within the season with back-to-back 36- and 37-point outings in opposition to Notre Dame and Alabama within the Gamers Generation match in Las Vegas in November, however used to be hampered by means of an ankle damage and a bout with the flu that led to him to lose vital weight and omit time in January.
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At 6-foot-6, Harper has very good dimension for some degree guard, with a mixture of shot-creation prowess, passing creativity, completing talent and total scoring talent that has drawn comparisons in NBA circles to a tender James Harden.
“NBA groups noticed I’m an all-around participant,” Harper mentioned. “I will be able to do no matter it takes to win. Whether or not it is rating, protect or facilitate. The rest Trainer wishes me to do.”
Harper made 50 3-pointers in 29 video games, averaged 5.8 loose throw makes an attempt and hit an excellent 57% of his 2-point makes an attempt this season regardless of having little assist on a Rutgers group that did not boast a lot skill past him and projected No. 3 pick out Ace Bailey. Rutgers completed 15-17 at the season, bowing out within the first spherical of the Giant Ten match after a double-overtime loss to USC, with Harper posting 27 issues, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks and a couple of steals in his ultimate school efficiency.
“The following couple of months, I’m going to be spending numerous time within the fitness center, looking at movie, getting my frame proper, making ready for the following stage and ensuring the whole lot is sharp,” he mentioned.
The NBA draft mix shall be held Would possibly 11-18 in Chicago, and the draft shall be June 25-26 in New York.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft professional and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal scouting and analytics carrier utilized by NBA, NCAA and world groups.
