Dylan Harper, a 19-year-old college basketball player, has emerged as one of the top prospects for the 2025 NBA draft. Despite facing a challenging January, which included battling the flu and an ankle injury, Harper's talent continues to shine through. The son of Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion, Dylan has inherited a legacy that sets high expectations. Known for his power-based game, Harper's skills have led to comparisons with Detroit's Cade Cunningham, although his style presents a unique challenge for direct comparisons.
Scouts view Harper as a promising prospect, noting his high usage rate and the struggle for his teammates to finish plays, which impacts his assist totals. Despite this, many believe he is more polished than his counterpart, Ace Bailey. An executive remarked on the importance of player growth over team success:
"What you want to see is guys playing hard, [showing] growth from the start of the season." – An executive
Ace Bailey, another top offensive prospect in the draft, is celebrated for his ability to make challenging shots, especially given his size. His draft stock benefits from the league's perpetual search for star players. However, Bailey is considered further from reaching his full potential. An Eastern Conference executive highlighted Bailey's exceptional ability:
"He's one of those types of guys who elevate so high, they don't even notice the defender is there." – An Eastern Conference executive
Both players face the daunting reality that their college team, Rutgers, is likely to conclude its season at the Big Ten Tournament without an NCAA tournament appearance. This could impact their visibility to NBA teams and owners who closely watch the tournament. An executive noted:
"For teams, it can be a negative — a lot of the owners watch the tournament." – An Eastern Conference executive
Nonetheless, both Harper and Bailey have shown significant promise on the court. Harper's power and unique playing style make him a formidable presence, while Bailey's shooting ability and potential are highly coveted. Western Conference executives express confidence in their potential contributions to NBA teams:
"An oversized handler surrounded with shooting and interior defense — he's just so dynamic. You can build a successful offense around the guy." – A Western Conference general manager
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