BASKETBALL success runs in Dylan Harper‘s veins, the son of former NBA Champion Ron, who was a part of the Chicago Bulls’ success in the 1990’s. The next generation looks destined to take a few steps beyond his father’s shadow.

Harper is looming as a top-three selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, with many claiming he is the second best prospect in the pool outside of Cooper Flagg, with the former likely to be considered a top pick in other draft classes.

On the season, he averaged 19.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for Rutgers, and was one of the best scorers in the NCAA despite receiving plenty of defensive attention on a nightly basis, showing an ability to deal with some tight coverages.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will run through some of the clearest comparisons to already established NBA talents, with Harper drawing comparison to some of the best point guards of the modern era.

Cade Cunningham – Detroit Pistons

Although unlikely to be selected first at the 2025 draft in June, Harper has plenty in common with a former top pick, who has emerged into superstardom throughout the 2024/25 season. This comparison is also prominent due to Harper endorsing the similarities himself for quite some time, stating the Pistons point guard has been one of his favourite players to watch since high school. In terms of scoring ability, there are certainly similarities, with both players looking to get downhill and finish at the rim. Cunningham has become one of the best in the NBA at this over the past 12 months, and is favourite to win the Most Improved Player Award, so Harper will be hoping to live up to the lofty standards set here.

James Harden – Los Angeles Clippers

By far the toughest comparison for Harper to live up to, Harden is one of the greatest guards in NBA history and is a tough name for Harper to match. ‘The Beard’ has won the league MVP and was named to the NBA’s list of the top 75 players in history. Harden is one of the most prolific scorers the NBA has ever seen, so Harper has a lot to live up to, but the capability is there. They are very alike when it comes to size (six-foot-six), shot-creation and passing ability, with Harden particularly excelling at that in the later part of his career. When Harden first joined the NBA, he was much like Harper in his desire to get to the basket to score, so if the Rutgers prospect can develop like ‘The Beard’ did, his future is extremely bright.

Jalen Brunson – New York Knicks

Another player to emerge as a superstar in the past couple of seasons, Brunson is now one of the best offensive players in the NBA, and has turned the Knicks’ fortunes around with his All-Star level of play. Although Harper boasts a bigger frame, both players like to use their strength to create shots, bodying their opponent to get closer to the basket and creating space with clever use of their body. Both players are tremendous operators in pick and roll situations, and the two players are similar in their ability to create shots for themselves and others with ball in hand. If Harper can have as much offensive production as Brunson of late, he will be extremely valuable at the top level.