Mon Mar 31 19:20:00 UTC 2025: **Rutgers Star Dylan Harper to Forgo Remaining College Eligibility, Enter 2025 NBA Draft**

**Piscataway, NJ** – Highly touted Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper announced his intention to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. The announcement, made Monday on ESPN’s NBA Today, confirms the widely held expectation that Harper, projected as a top-two pick, would leave school early.

Harper, a 6-foot-6 point guard, enjoyed a stellar freshman season, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He shattered Rutgers’ freshman scoring record and ranked fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, showcasing impressive scoring instincts and playmaking ability. His early-season performances, including back-to-back 36- and 37-point games against Notre Dame and Alabama, hinted at a potential number one overall pick contention before injuries and illness impacted his mid-season.

Despite playing on a Rutgers team lacking substantial talent beyond himself and fellow projected high draft pick Ace Bailey (projected No.3), Harper demonstrated his versatility. He displayed a knack for scoring, hitting 50 three-pointers and shooting 57% from two-point range. He also showed a commitment to all aspects of the game, expressing his willingness to “do whatever it takes to win,” whether scoring, defending, or facilitating. His final college game saw him put up 27 points, 8 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in a double-overtime loss to USC in the Big Ten tournament.

Harper’s skillset, drawing comparisons to a young James Harden, has NBA scouts excited. He plans to spend the next few months honing his game, preparing for the NBA Draft Combine (May 11-18 in Chicago) and the NBA Draft (June 25-26 in New York City). NBA draft expert Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com, a service used by NBA teams, has been tracking Harper’s impressive development.

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