Dylan Harper, son of Bulls icon Ron Harper, high NBA draft stock

For five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and his son Dylan Harper, “the son rises too.” If we can get Hemingwayesque here. In fact, this is the son’s second promotion as Ron Harper Jr. is currently a member of the reigning champion Boston Celtics. But Dylan Harper has the potential to one day surpass both of them.

Dylan Harper is the reigning Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year and McDonald’s All-American Game MVP.

He is a five-star freshman at Rutgers and would be a perfect fit for the Chicago Bulls after his college career ends. Finally, the matter of second-generation ballers seems to be an issue with the Bulls.

As we learned in an exclusive with RG.org about rookie Matas Buzelis, his grandfather Petras Buzelis was a standout captain of Zalgiris Kaunas, where he won six Lithuanian men’s championships in the mid-1950s and 1960s.

Arvydas Jankauskas, another grandfather of the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, also played professionally.

Dylan Harper, or Ron Harper Jr., would fit well into the team where her father was an integral part of the second part of the Bulls dynasty in the 1990s.

“I’ve also heard a lot of Chicago stories from his dad, who’s a really good guy,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said of Dylan Harper, referring to his father.

“Obviously Dylan’s father had a legacy here (Chicago – where this interview was conducted, at Big Ten Media Days) and with many other NBA teams as well. I think it’s an exciting time for our program and especially for those who have connections here.

“He (Dylan) was a winner from day one. He loves basketball. He comes from a great family and obviously has great bloodlines too. He is unique.

“He passes the basketball. He is a left-hander.

“He has great size. He loves being on the court, so he enjoys practicing basketball. He feels most comfortable at court. Just enjoy, enjoy the moment. He is talented. He’s going to be playing basketball for a long time.”

Buzelis began his high school career in suburban Hinsdale Central and is one of several players with local ties: Ayo Dosunmu (Chicago-Morgan Park, Ill.), Talen Horton-Tucker (Chicago-Simeon), Jevon Carter, EJ Liddell and DJ Stewart.

If they’re trying to finally get the rebuild right, why not keep it local/in the family? Stay familiar?

“We were fortunate enough to coach Ron Harper Junior, so Dylan was in our program,” Pikiell continued.

“We are grateful that he wanted to stay home. Could have gone anywhere. New Jersey is important to him. Playing at the State University of New Jersey was part of what he wanted to do.

Pikiell continued to discuss recruiting the blue-chip combo guard.

“Brandon Knight did a fantastic job,” the Rutgers coach said.

“We just wanted him to know that we would take care of him the same way we took care of his brother. We’re glad he gave us this opportunity.” These guys constantly have choices, and they chose Rutgers.

“I’m honored they did it and I’m going to give him a great year. And Dylan and Ace (Bailey) are going to have a great year this year, and that’s all you can do.”

Paul M. Banks is the founding editor of The sports bench. He is that too Author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America” ​​and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons from a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”.”