In one of the most anticipated showdowns of the NBA Summer League, Rutgers’ Dylan Harper made his return and squared off against the No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, giving Scarlet Knight Fans a performance that proved everything they may have questioned: Does Harper belong on the biggest stage?
With his unique athleticism and defensive instincts at 6’9”, Duke star Cooper Flagg ended with 31 points in 31 minutes. He demonstrated his shot-making ability this time with 3 made shots from distance and earned himself 13 trips to the free-throw line. As for Harper, some would describe his first game as average. The Rutgers star scored 16 points, pulled down 6 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and added 2 steals and a block in just a restricted 20 minutes due to his groin injury. He made an effective 6-of-7 from the free-throw line and 5 of 12 from the field despite going 0 of 4 from the perimeter.
2025 NBA Summer League - Dallas Mavericks v San Antonio Spurs Harper And Flagg— Facing off Against Each Other
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Time and again, top prospects often stumble in their Summer League debuts, just look at early struggles from names like Ace Bailey and even Cooper Flagg. Maybe that was partially true for Dylan Harper, too. But one thing’s clear: he was far from disappointing.
“He had a good game. I had a good game. We kind of just showed the NBA world what we’re about,” Harper said postgame, via RealGM.
Harper’s approach is summed up in that mindset. Just steady contact on both ends of the court, no showmanship. His “poise and physicality” was praised by ESPN commentator Jonathan Givony, while Mavericks Summer League coach Josh Broghamer described him as “one of the most polished young guards we’ve seen this summer.”
Harper drew attention without 30 minutes or 30 points. He continues to set himself apart from most rookies with his ability to control the pace, defend the ball, and consistently drive to the basket. This game was more than just statistics for Rutgers fans. Rather, a local Scarlet Knight facing the nation’s #1 prospect and demonstrating that he is equally promising was an essential juncture set moving forward.
As the NBA season draws closer, one thing is certain: Rutgers didn’t just send another name to the league; it sent a fierce competitor and a polished talent. Yet, as Dylan Harper gears up for a must-see matchup against former teammate Ace Bailey, one uncertainty has arisen: Is his three-point shot truly dependable, or was it just first-game adrenaline?