Five-Star Plus+ CG Dylan Harper breaks down Duke, Rutgers; talks future visit, timeline, and more

Dylan Harper, the No. 2 player in the 2024 On3 150, is a veteran of USA Basketball. The 6-foot-5 guard participated in the U19 FIBA World Games last summer, where he averaged 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds as one of the youngest players on the roster.

He is back this weekend, as a veteran, for the USA Basketball Junior National Team October Minicamp.

“On the court and off the court, just being the best leader I can be towards these kids my age and the grade below me,” Harper told On3. “Because I was in the same spot about six months, five months ago fighting for a spot, not knowing if I was going to make the team or not. So just really teaching them because I know the mistakes they’re going to go through, teaching them how USA wants to do it but also just them being confident in themselves. The leadership is really the biggest thing for me”

Even though the Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep senior is ranked so highly among his peers, he still feels his game is improving.

“I think 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.”

On3 caught up with Five-Star Plus+ Dylan Harper at the USA Basketball Minicamp to talk with him about his recruitment.

Harper Talks Official Visits to Duke and Indiana

DUKE: “Everyone says it’s the brotherhood, but when you get there, they really stress about the brotherhood. You can see it for yourself. Not even on the court — off the court, the one through 15 plus the coaching staff — how they all bond, get together. They’re always together; they never leave anyone out. So, really, just with them being a main focal point is the brotherhood and how they treat their players.

“I think they definitely let their guards go. You can see previous years, people like RJ Barrett, Jayson Tatum, Zion (Williamson) — people like that. They really let their star players go and control the game.”

INDIANA: “Really, the background. I wasn’t too familiar with Indiana’s background. But once you get there, they show you everything and walk you around. You can see all the statues, all the national championships and stuff like that. But really how Mike Woodson really emphasized how he can help me get to the next level.”

Harper Talks Rutgers

“I might take an official visit there next week,” Harper said.

“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.

“It’s an everyday thing with Ace (Bailey). It might not be about Rutgers; it might just be about life, lifestyle stuff like that. But me and him always talk. It’s always a good time when me and him get together.”

Harper talks Auburn and Kansas

AUBURN: “How Bruce Pearl and Ira (Bowman) and the rest of the staff really let their guards play. You’ve seen Sharife (Cooper) and other guards. You’ve seen Aden (Holloway) this year. Like how he really lets them run the show and lets them be who they are.”

KANSAS: “The winning nature, the winning background. They’re always winning. You turn the TV on, Final Four, March Madness, No. 1 seed — all that. So just really how they compete at the end of the day and how Bill Self gets his players all under one roof and how they really work hard.”

In his words

I don’t have a commitment date in mind yet,” Dylan Harper said. “I might not sign early. Really, it’s all going to be based on when I feel the time is right

“If I don’t commit before the college season starts, it’s really watching the schools play. I’ll watch their gameplay style and really see how the coaches interact with the players and let the players play.

“Obviously, everyone wants the ball in their hands, but I think I can play on the ball, off the ball, play every position on the court, I feel like. Whatever I can do to help win, I’m going to do it. Whatever school I would go to, make sure I have the right pieces around me and the right players that I feel like I can win with.”

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