Dylan Harper Declares for 2025 NBA Draft, Continuing the Legacy of Filipino Roots in the League
Another rising basketball star with Filipino blood is set to make waves in the NBA.
Rutgers standout Dylan Harper officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on Monday during an appearance on ESPN's NBA Today. Projected to be the No. 2 overall pick, Harper becomes the latest in a growing list of elite prospects with Filipino lineage, evoking memories of Jalen Green — the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft who proudly represented his Filipino heritage.
“I’ll remember all the life lessons this season — the ups and downs, good and bad. Staying leveled,” said Harper, reflecting on a rollercoaster freshman year that nevertheless ended with his name etched in Rutgers history.
A Historic Freshman Campaign
Harper, a 6-foot-6 point guard, averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in his lone season with Rutgers. He was named to the All-Big Ten third team and earned a spot on the All-Freshman team, breaking the school’s freshman scoring record in the process.
He showed NBA scouts everything they wanted to see — from shot creation to elite playmaking, from scoring bursts to defensive effort. Back-to-back 30-point explosions against Notre Dame and Alabama in November made the basketball world take notice. Despite an ankle injury and a tough battle with the flu in January, Harper still finished as one of the top five scorers in the Big Ten.
His combination of strength, finesse, and craft has drawn comparisons to a young James Harden. But perhaps more importantly, he’s shown the unteachable feel for the game — the kind of basketball IQ that separates potential stars from true cornerstones.
“NBA teams saw I am an all-around player,” Harper said. “I can do whatever it takes to win.”
A Touch of Filipino Pride
Harper’s Filipino roots may not always be front and center in his press clippings, but they add another compelling layer to his rise. Filipino basketball fans — arguably the most passionate in the world — remember how proud the country was when Jalen Green, also of Filipino descent, went second overall in 2021. That moment wasn't just for Green — it was for the entire archipelago.
Now, just four years later, the Philippines may be celebrating another high pick with Filipino blood in the NBA lottery. Dylan Harper's presence in the draft continues a meaningful representation of the Filipino identity on the sport’s biggest stage.
What's Next?
Harper now sets his sights on the NBA Combine (May 11–18 in Chicago) and the NBA Draft (June 25–26 in New York), with weeks of focused training ahead.
“The next few months, I’ll be spending a lot of time in the gym, watching film, getting my body right, preparing for the next level and making sure everything is sharp,” Harper said.
Whether he lands with a rebuilding team or a franchise ready to compete, Harper is expected to make an immediate impact. And for Filipinos across the globe, that means another young star they can cheer for, relate to, and proudly claim as one of their own.
From Jalen Green to Dylan Harper, the Filipino flame in the NBA continues to burn brighter — and the next chapter is just beginning.
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