Dylan Harper: Three thoughts on Rutgers' latest commitment

Steve Pikiell got his man on Wednesday when Five-Star Plus+ guard Dylan Harper committed to Rutgers. This gives the Scarlet Knights their fifth commitment of the 2024 class. 

Before Harper’s commitment, Rutgers carried the No. 22 class in the 2024 On3 Team Recruiting Rankings. Harper joins Five-Star Plus+ forward Ace Bailey, three-star forward Dylan Grant, three-star post Lathan Sommerville, and three-star forward Bryce Dortch. With Harper’s commitment, Rutgers now moves to No. 6 in the On3 Team Rankings.

Rutgers 2023 class ranked No. 64 in the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings and included 6-foot-8 wing Gavin Griffiths and 6-foot-2 guard Jamichael Davis. 

Let’s discuss what getting Dylan Harper means for Rutgers

Who is Dylan Harper?

Dylan Harper is a 6-foot-6, 205-pound combo guard from Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep. He is the No. 2 overall player in the 2024 On3 150 and the No. 1 ranked combo guard in the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking. Harper had five final schools on the table, Auburn, Kansas, Rutgers, Duke, and Indiana. However, he only took official visits to Duke, Rutgers, and Indiana.

Harper averaged 18.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists playing with the NY Renaissance program during the regular season of Nike’s EYBL Circuit this summer. He finished No. 7 in scoring, No. 13 in rebounds, and No. 3 in assists. Harper played with USA Basketball this summer in the FIBA U19 World Cup. Harper averaged 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest in Hungary.

“I think my best quality is my ability to see the floor. But I think really my defense has taken a big step, for me at least. Because I know people think, ‘It’s all offense,’ but I feel like I can guard anyone in the country. That’s just my mindset going into any matchup.”

What Does He Bring to Rutgers?

When watching Dylan Harper play it is hard to not walk away impressed with his feel for the game. His ability to see the court and make a read, whether it is for himself or for a teammate, usually leads to quality offense. 

Harper is a big-bodied guard. He is listed at 6-foot-6 and he is a sturdy 205 pounds. Harper also has long arms and plays with excellent anticipation. Harper is at his best with the ball in his hands and making decisions. 

His passing touch is hard to ignore. Whether he is delivering off a live dribble in traffic, or moving the ball along the perimeter, he oftentimes delivers on target and on time. On the offensive end of the floor, Harper plays as a primary initiator. 

He has an excellent pace, never seeming to get rushed. Many will question the athleticism and lack of explosive burst, but he uses a crafty handle and an adept change of pace to get to his spots on the floor. The athleticism will also come into play on the defensive end, but he has great anticipation and understanding of angles and team defense. He is also strong, so while he may struggle at times as a point-of-attack defender, he is fine in help and off-ball situations. 

The jump shot is better when shooting off the bounce, in the mid-range. A lefty, Harper has a lower release point when shooting from three and his actual release can be inconsistent. This is something he has worked on as he shot 34.0 percent (34-100) from three during EYBL play. 

Harper has excellent balance in the open floor, with an array of moves and counters to get his defender on his hip and keep them in jail. He is able to make plays through contact and draw fouls with his change of pace. While there will be questions about the athleticism and shooting, Harper has consistently put out dominant performances against his peers at every level of play. 

How Does Harper Fit in the Lineup?

When you bring in a Five-Star Plus+ talent there typically is not much fitting that needs to be done. You somewhat build around that caliber of player. Looking through the Rutgers roster, three of their top nine guys from this year’s roster will be out of eligibility after this season. Two of the players, Aundre Hyatt and Noah Fernandes, are full-time starters for the Scarlet Knights. 

Harper will join fellow Five-Star Plus+ forward Ace Bailey in the 2024 class. They are also looking at prised 2023 recruit, sharp-shooting forward Gavin Griffiths, and 2022 recruit, guard Derek Simpson who is third on the team in scoring this year. With those four players being the core of the guard and wing rotation, there should be no real positional redundancy with that group. 

Harper Talks Rutgers

“The rise they’re on. I think last year they had a little bit of a down year. But the previous years, they’ve been in March Madness three years in a row, so really how coach Pike (Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell) and the rest of the staff is really helping the state of New Jersey and Rutgers go up.

“(Coach Pikiell) has always supported me since I was younger. You know, Ron (Dylan’s brother Ron Harper Jr.) went there, so he’s always had my back. I know there is a lot of hype there because Ron went there, but they are recruiting me for me. I trust them; they tell me how I can improve and what I’m doing on the court.”