Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA Draft prospect who did not make March Madness tourney

While there are plenty of future NBA players in March Madness, the best prospect who did not make the tournament is Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper.

He averaged 19.4 points. 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game during his first season in the NCAA. He led all freshmen in unassisted field goals made (145) and consistently showed an elite ability to create his own basket, per CBB Analytics.

DYLAN HARPER: Why he is the most exciting offensive prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft

Even though Harper and Rutgers fell short of making the NCAA men's basketball tournament, he is still staying involved with the action due to one of his NIL deals with Kinder Bueno chocolate bars.

For The Win caught up with Harper to discuss his first NCAA season, playing alongside teammate Ace Bailey, the future of NIL policy in collegiate athletic, and more.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

What were your impressions of playing college basketball in your home state?

Harper: It was a great honor to be able to represent the state of New Jersey, seeing all of the greats who have been here. I’m really grateful for this opportunity. I like college basketball. It was definitely a different environment than what I’m used to, playing against guys four or five years older than you are. You have to adjust to things like that. But I had a great time.

It’s all the preparation and time that goes into being a Division I basketball player. In high school, you go out there and practice and you watch a little film and you go out there and play. But really the preparation and time you have to put into winning these games is unbelievable.

What was your favorite part about playing alongside Ace Bailey?

Harper: My favorite part about him is the joy he brings to the game. No matter what is going on, he is going to have high energy and things like that. He is one of those guys who at 6-foot-10, you can give the ball to him, and he can get a bucket at will. That’s really him. He knows how to use his body and get to his spots. There’s no complaints about playing with him at all.

He is a twitchy player. He is tall, lanky, and he is such a presence throughout the game whether it’s rebounding or defending or getting a bucket. He is going to do what you need him to do. He is a very high IQ player. He sees things before they happen.

How did you develop your ability to create your own shot at the rim? 

Harper: When I was younger, my mom ain’t let me shoot no jump shots. My mom has been my coach forever. She thinks that people shooting jumpers at an early age messes up all of the mechanics and all that. She really didn’t let me shoot the ball, so I had to go to the basket. That is how I scored the ball and that really translates now that I can also shoot the ball at a high clip. That really helped.

There are players in the NBA that are faster and stronger and can jump higher. But I know my game and how much I’ve worked on my game. I know my touch around the time. I think it’s going to translate. I just think what I bring to the basketball court is a winning factor. Whether I have to score or defend, I’m going to do whatever I have to do to help my team win.

You have multiple basketball pros in your family. How has that helped you?

Harper: It definitely helped watching my mom, my brother, and my dad. I had to watch all of the sacrifices they made knowing one day I would have to make those same sacrifices, whether it’s like in high school you want to go out but you have to go to the gym and lift. I think it helped me a lot because it showed me how much time and effort and work you have to put into basketball.

What are some things that people should know about you off the court?

Harper: I like to say I’m an off the scene, off the map kind of guy. I like to hang out with my family and stay out of the way. I go out to eat and stuff like that. I play my video games. It’s stuff that’s family oriented and I just try to stay out of the way as best as I can.

How do you choose your NIL deals and what are some things you look for?

Harper: It’s all about having good people around me. I have great people behind my operations. For example, when I teamed up with Kinder Bueno, it was more of a family thing. My little sister loves Kinder Bueno. I’m also a big fan of it. So why not? She loves those chocolates. She eats it all the time. She always asks for more. So it was just a perfect fit. You want to have good people around you in your circle and you want to partner with good people.

What we have going on with Kinder Bueno is really special. But I think people that vibe with me are going to really enjoy what we have coming up.

What role did NIL play in helping you choose your university?

Harper: I can’t speak for everyone else but I can speak for myself. I wasn’t going to school for NIL. For me, it was fit and who I trusted and relationships I built with coaches. The NIL thing was not a factor. It was just a bonus. It wasn’t going to be the main reason why I chose where I went to Rutgers or any other school that I went to.

It’s good for kids to be able to make money off their name in college instead of waiting to get to the pros. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger and we’re going to see bigger deals and crazier deals.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Q&A: Meet Dylan Harper, the best NBA prospect not in March Madness