Ron Harper has seen it all. From five NBA championships to playing alongside Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Harper’s resume speaks volumes. But these days, the former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers guard is focused on something else: his son, Dylan Harper, who has been making waves in the basketball world.
Dylan Harper’s Rise: No Surprise Here
“Surprised? No. Not really,” Harper said when asked about the fanfare surrounding Dylan. “He has always played hard, he always believed in who he was, and I always talk to him about putting the time in. When you do, you’ll be as good as you’re going to be.”
That relentless work ethic is evident, and Harper Sr. sees it paying off as Dylan continues to rise in the ranks of young basketball phenoms. “I told him when he was little, it’s about being consistent. If you show up every day and put in the work, people are going to notice. And now, they are.”
Rutgers’ Moment in the Spotlight
The buzz isn’t just about Dylan; Rutgers University is also having a moment. With two top-five players on the same team, Harper understands the hype.
“Yes and no,” Harper said about whether he’s surprised by the attention Rutgers is getting. “When you have two top-five players on one team, you’re going to get a lot of big hype. You’re always going to get those fans that want to cheer you on, and you’re always going to get those fans that don’t want you to do good.”
With a young, talented squad and two projected top-ten NBA Draft picks, Harper knows that the program is in a unique position. “They’re going to be under the microscope. Everybody’s going to be watching. But if they stay focused and play their game, they’ll be fine.”
Dylan Harper and James Harden Comparisons? Not So Fast
“I try not to compare him to anybody,” Harper said when asked if Dylan’s game mirrors that of Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden. “I always try to give him enough room and enough space to be the kind of player he wants to become.”
That said, Harper does acknowledge some similarities but ultimately sees his son as more complete.
“I could see some comparisons to James, but I compare him to a much better all-around player than what James Harden is. James Harden is known as a guy who can score the basketball, and I prefer Dylan to become an all-around player who can play two ends of the ball game.”
What NBA Teams Can Expect From Dylan Harper
So, what can NBA teams look forward to if they draft Dylan?
“They can look for a guy who wants to be the best player on the team, who wants to be a great teammate, who’s going to come in and work hard, push the other players to work as hard as he does,” Harper said.
“He really hasn’t come from a losing program, and he wants to be the best player and he wants to be on a good basketball team. He’s somebody who believes in himself, and that’s going to rub off on the other guys.”
Ace Bailey and Cooper Flagg: Elite Talents
Harper also had high praise for Dylan’s teammate, Ace Bailey.
“Ace Bailey is probably the best college one-on-one scorer that you can have,” Harper said. “He can create his own shot, he can create space, he can go inside, he can score outside, he can shoot a three, he can shoot the midrange. There’s not one part of his offensive game that he doesn’t have.”
And as for Cooper Flagg?
“Cooper Flagg is a player who plays tremendously hard, who has an offensive game that’s only going to improve when he gets to the NBA because he’s going to have more space and more room.”
LeBron James on Dylan Harper: A Full Circle Moment
When LeBron James recently gave Dylan some high praise, Harper Sr. couldn’t help but reflect.
“I was actually at home reading the newspaper and my phone rang. One of my good friends called me and said: ‘Did you hear what LeBron said about Dylan?’ I said: ‘You know, I kind of saw something.’”
He continued, “It kind of reminded me of the first time I went to a basketball gym and watched LeBron James work out. He was a very skilled player coming out of high school and worked as hard as NBA players. LeBron James was a great NBA player back then. It was kinda cool! It was a full-circle moment.”
Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James: The Great Debate
Having played alongside MJ and Kobe, Harper has a unique perspective on how LeBron fits into the all-time conversation.
“MJ and Kobe are going to try and go out and destroy every competition that you have and who you are. They’re going to go out and seek and destroy you. That’s how competitive they are,” he said.
On LeBron: “LeBron is a great player, and as far as that competitive build, I don’t know if he’s more competitive as MJ and Kobe are.”
Harper recalled a story about MJ’s competitiveness, saying, “Michael would come to practice and treat it like a game. If you weren’t bringing your best, you were going to hear about it. That’s just who he was.”
Looking Back: The What-Ifs of Ron Harper’s Career
Harper’s time in Cleveland was cut short due to injuries and a trade, and while others wonder what could’ve been, he doesn’t dwell on it.
“A lot of my friends have. They always say: ‘If you didn’t get hurt, this or that would have happened.’ Injuries are a part of the game. The only thing that I feel is that I got every mile, every inch, and every yard out of what my game was.”
Mark Price vs. Steph Curry? Let’s Talk Shooting
Harper believes former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Mark Price was ahead of his time.
“You think Steph Curry’s running around with the catch-and-shoot, dribble, and all of that? I would love to see Mark Price and Steph Curry shoot off in their heyday.”
Dylan Harper and the Pressure of Playing in NBA and maybe the Brooklyn Nets
Would playing for the Brooklyn Nets be too much pressure for Dylan?
“I’m going to tell you now: He’s going to be okay. He has a high basketball IQ, he loves to play, he loves to compete, and he wants to be the best basketball player on the floor.”
And his advice to Dylan and his other son, Ron Harper Jr.?
“You don’t have to be me. I want you to become the best version of who you are.”
Final Thoughts
Ron Harper has seen it all, played against the greats, and learned from legends. But now, he’s passing that knowledge down, guiding the next generation—his sons included. One thing’s for sure: the Harper legacy in basketball is far from over.
