Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, to the surprise of no one, has declared for the NBA Draft. Harper is listed in multiple mock drafts as the No. 2 overall prospect, behind only Duke star Cooper Flagg.
Harper made the announcement on ESPN’s NBA Today.
“I’ll remember all the life lessons this season,” Harper told ESPN. “The ups and downs and good and bad. Staying leveled.”
Harper was named third-team All-Big Ten and to the all-freshman team. He averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals this season. That said, the Scarlet Knights failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Per NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony of ESPN: “At 6-foot-6, Harper has excellent size for a point guard, with a combination of shot-creation prowess, passing creativity, finishing skill and overall scoring ability that has drawn comparisons in NBA circles to a young James Harden.”
Harper has range on his jumper and shot an icy 57 percent on 2-pointers this season.
“NBA teams saw that I am an all-around player,” he said. “I can do whatever it takes to win. Whether it’s score, defend, or facilitate. Anything coach needs me to do.”
The NBA Combine will take place May 11-18 in Chicago, with the two-day draft scheduled for June 25-26 in New York.
“The next few months, I’ll be spending a lot of time in the gym, watching film, getting my body right, preparing for the next level and making sure everything is sharp,” Harper said.
Rutgers freshman forward Ace Bailey, Harper’s college teammate, is considered the No. 3 prospect. Neither Flagg nor Bailey has declared for the draft. Flagg and the Blue Devils are headed to the Final Four this weekend. Rutgers finished 15-17.
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