SNAPSHOT

Son of NBA Champion Ron, Harper has basketball running through his veins, and has long been considered the second best prospect in the 2025 class behind Cooper Flagg. Having truly cemented himself as a top-two talent, he now looms as a central figure to whichever team calls his name on draft night.

In many other draft classes, Harper could be a genuine shout as the best player of the crop, with Flagg's generational talent ensuring no one could top him heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. However, Harper still has All-Star written all over him, and will be hard for the San Antonio Spurs to pass up at pick two.

DRAFT PROFILE

A consensus five-star recruit and identified as a top prospect for the 2025 class early on, Harper had offers from some of the biggest programs in the United States, including Duke and Kansas. Instead, he opted to take his talents to Rutgers, becoming the highest rated recruit in the program's history in what could be a turning point for the school when it comes to recruitment.

The benefit of playing for the Scarlet Knights meant Harper had free reign to showcase his skills in each and every game, operating as the number-one option on offence and showing he has the capabilities to both score and pass at a very high rate.

For the Scarlet Knights in the 2024/25 season, Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per game on 48.4 per cent shooting from the field, 33.3 per cent shooting from range and 75 per cent from the free throw line.

There is no doubting that Harper is the premier point guard in the draft class and easily a top-two talent, and he should be able to make an immediate impact at the top level next season.

STRENGTHS

• Finishing at the rim
• Composure with ball in hand
• Defensive upside
• Overall playmaking

IMPROVEMENTS

• Shooting
• Explosiveness

Harper has an extremely high floor as a prospect, and looms as a safe bet for the Spurs if they opt to take him with the second overall selection, and his skillset certainly showcases how high his ceiling can be if he develops at the top level.

A crafty left-handed guard, Harper's finishing at the rim is up there with the best in the draft class, using his tight handle to split pick and rolls, while his impressive frame allows him to finish through contact, which is important given the opponents will be a lot bigger when he reaches the NBA. He was extremely efficient scoring in the restricted area this season, and has a deep bag of tricks that typically help him score or draw contact.

Despite being just 19 years of age, Harper has tremendous composure with ball in hand, and rarely gives the ball up with a poor decision. He controls the tempo of the game superbly, and can often make things feel slow around him as he opens up the floor with excellent IQ and a tight handle.

Although not the best defender as it stands, his size and wingspan suggest there is plenty of upside there with the right development coaches. He was below par at times for Rutgers, but given he was given so much to do on the offensive end, it can be excused.

The major concern around Harper's potential is in his shooting, with streaky form suggesting it could become a flaw in his game. While he certainly has the capability to get going off the dribble, he can be inconsistent from mid-range, the free throw line and from long range, which could restrict his offensive output overall.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Pick 2

Harper has officially locked himself in as a top-two talent in the 2025 NBA Draft Class with elite playmaking and fantastic finishing at the rim, and has the capability to develop into an All-Star in the coming years if he further develops his jumpshot.