Dylan Harper Turns Heads at NBA Draft Combine with Surprise Growth and Transformation
As the 2025 NBA Draft lottery takes center stage Monday night in Chicago, all eyes may be on Duke’s Cooper Flagg—but another name is rapidly climbing the buzz ladder: Dylan Harper.
The Rutgers standout, once overshadowed by Flagg’s spotlight, just reminded everyone why he’s a projected top-five pick—and he did it with a sneaky growth spurt and a dramatic body transformation.
Harper, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in his lone season at Rutgers, took the court with Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit in April and already impressed scouts. But when his official measurements were revealed at the NBA Draft Combine this week, jaws dropped.
According to NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony, Harper now stands 6’4½” barefoot, weighs 213.2 lbs, boasts a 6’10½” wingspan, and reaches 8’6″ from a standing position. The surprise? He grew half an inch since April—and shed 15 pounds in just a few weeks.
“Impressive measurements for a point guard,” Givony noted.
“Harper grew half an inch from Hoop Summit while shedding 15 pounds.”
Harper’s Growth Sparks Height Controversy
The unexpected jump in Harper’s height stirred some debate online—was Rutgers exaggerating measurements?
College hoops insider Jerry Carino chimed in, clarifying the difference between listed and actual heights. Schools like Rutgers often report measurements with shoes on—typically adding an inch or so. Harper was listed at 6’6″, while fellow Rutgers star Ace Bailey was listed at 6’10”. But according to Combine measurements, Harper’s official barefoot height stands at 6’4½”, which aligns with Carino’s explanation.
“So Harper’s height has been accurate. Bailey’s, not quite,” Carino said.
“Cooper Flagg, for example, is listed by Duke at 6’9″ but measured 6’7¾” barefoot at the Combine.”
Translation? The tape measure doesn’t lie—and Harper’s stock is rising.
Why NBA Teams Are Taking Notice
Forget the inches for a second—Harper’s body transformation is what really has teams excited. Dropping 15 pounds in such a short window shows serious discipline and next-level conditioning, the kind of commitment NBA GMs drool over.
Couple that with his long arms, versatile skillset, and a high basketball IQ, and Harper is looking more and more like a franchise-level guard. His frame, athleticism, and court vision make him a unique threat on both ends of the floor—one that could easily sneak into the top 3 depending on how the lottery shakes out.
From Rutgers Star to Draft-Day Darling?
While Cooper Flagg remains the undisputed top prize in this year’s draft class, Dylan Harper isn’t just riding shotgun—he’s right behind him in the race.
With Harper and teammate Ace Bailey both projected as top-five picks, Rutgers could make history with two lottery picks in the same draft. That kind of development doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of elite talent meeting undeniable work ethic.
Now, with the draft lottery about to unfold, all that’s left is to see which lucky franchise lands the guard with the wingspan of a center, the handle of a point guard, and the heart of a warrior.
Leave a Reply