Dylan Harper - 2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report

Measurements and stats current as of April 27, 2025

Dylan Harper is a 6'6", 220-pound freshman guard from Rutgers. He has a 6'10" wingspan and will be 19.3 years old at the time of the NBA Draft. He projects as a potential All-Star point guard and one of the best three players on a good NBA team.

Projection & Statistical Analysis

Harper was a highly productive college player, posting an 8.5 BPM, a 58.6 TS%, and a +11 on/off net rating impact. He combined volume and efficiency as a creator, showing NBA-ready traits as both a scorer and passer. His 2.6 STL% signals active, instinctive defense, especially for a freshman carrying a heavy offensive load.

Harper’s finishing numbers are elite: 68% at the rim overall and 65% in half-court settings. He even outperformed several premier bigs, such as Johni Broome, around the basket. His finishing wasn’t simply a result of easy transition buckets either. He made 65% of his half court rim attempts and only 18% of his rim makes were assisted, demonstrating his ability to self-create downhill advantages. His 42% free throw rate reinforces that he will be able to pressure the rim at the NBA level.

Although Harper's three-point shooting was poor overall, context matters: he attempted a large volume of threes, most of which were self-created off the dribble and heavily contested. Encouragingly, he shot 37% on catch-and-shoot threes, suggesting he should be able to hit open shots at the next level.

Harper posted a strong 27% AST rate versus a 15% TOV rate—a good sign for a primary creator—and showed advanced passing ability, particularly on the move. His quick deceleration and ability to create space evoke shades of elite NBA creators. He has a quick first step, shifty handle, and the strength to play through contact. His left-handedness further weaponizes his drives, making him tougher for defenders to anticipate.

Defensively, Harper projects as at least solid. His steal and block rates are strong for a freshman primary initiator, and he has the tools—size, strength, wingspan, instincts, and huge hands—to defend 1s, 2s, and some 3s effectively. His effort level, even when playing through a flu and ankle sprain during the year, is a positive marker for future growth.

Although Rutgers had a disappointing season overall (finishing 66th), their historical performance (including past finishes at 75th and 105th in the last five years) contextualizes that it wasn't a collapse. Harper’s strong on-court impact metrics further show that he made Rutgers better.

The main swing skill for stardom is his mid-range shooting. Harper hit only 30% of his mid-range attempts, a weakness compared to successful NBA initiators like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham, and Markelle Fultz (all of whom had stronger mid-range indicators in college, except for John Wall). Without a reliable stop-and-pop jumper, he may struggle to be a true #1 option. However, even without significant mid-range improvement, Harper projects as a good starting NBA player.

Offense

Harper’s offensive game is centered around his ability to create advantages. His combination of strength, shifty ball-handling, burst, and deceleration makes him one of the most dynamic slashers in the class. His first step can blow by defenders, and he uses footwork, fakes, and sudden stops to create separation for jumpers and passing windows.

He thrives as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, manipulating defenses with patience and vision. His passing on the move is advanced for his age; he reads help defense quickly and finds shooters, cutters, and bigs with live-dribble feeds.

As a scorer, Harper leverages his strength and craft to finish through contact. His ability to get to the rim unassisted and draw fouls should translate immediately. He struggles with overall three-point efficiency due to the difficulty of his shot diet, but his success on catch-and-shoot attempts hints that he can become a respectable spot-up threat.

The primary weakness is his mid-range game. To reach his ceiling as an offensive engine, Harper must develop a consistent pull-up jumper from 15–20 feet. This would force defenses to respect him in pick-and-roll coverages and help open up his driving game even more.

Defense

Harper has the physical profile and instincts to become a good NBA defender. His 6'6", 220-pound frame, 6'10" wingspan, strong hands, and quick feet allow him to defend multiple positions. He competes defensively and flashes good anticipation in the passing lanes.

Given his strength, he can hold up against bigger guards and some wings. His rebounding instincts and physicality also provide value on the defensive glass.

The key to maximizing his defensive impact will be his effort level and maintaining focus when his offensive responsibilities are heavy. If his NBA role features a smaller offensive burden than it did at Rutgers, there’s reason to believe he can be an above-average defender.

Conclusion

Dylan Harper offers one of the most complete offensive foundations in the 2025 NBA Draft. He pressures the rim relentlessly, passes well on the move, creates space for his own shots, and shows the mentality to play through adversity. His defense projects solidly or better, aided by his size and instincts.

If Harper develops a reliable mid-range jumper, he has clear All-Star potential and could become a team’s offensive centerpiece. Even without major mid-range growth, he should comfortably slot in as a starting-caliber NBA guard who can create advantages, pass, and defend.

His statistical production, advanced metrics, physical profile, and mentality all suggest he will succeed in the NBA. Harper is a strong pick and projects comfortably as a future All-Star.