NBA Legend Had One Word for Son Dylan Harper’s Possible Teams

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric Nacach | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 6:22 PM ET

Former Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper is widely projected to be selected No. 2 overall in this year's NBA draft. Back in high school, he was a five-star recruit and No. 3 overall player in the class of 2024 (247 Sports). He played one season at the college level, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

On Wednesday afternoon, a Twitter user uploaded a meme suggesting that smaller market teams, such as the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers, could end up with the top guard.

"dylan harper getting rerouted to the likes of utah, washington, or portland in the eleventh hour:," the user wrote.

His father, Ron Harper, who is a five-time NBA champion known for his role alongside Michael Jordan during the Chicago Bulls' dynasty, firmly voiced his opinion on the idea of his son starting his professional career on any of those squads."Nope!!!!" Ron Harper replied to the post.

Nope!!!!
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) June 5, 2025

Dylan Harper will likely be off the board before the Jazz pick at No. 5, but Utah is still a team to watch. His father and the Bulls had a rivalry with the Jazz in the late ’90s, and has been open in the past about not wanting his son to end up in Utah. He's since backtracked on his comments.

"Stop believe what I said about my son playing in @UtahJazz if me and a friend have a tweet about what team want him it’s all about fun…. I don’t control my son or a NBA team draft board… lol I see pictures of a few teams that I wouldn’t want him on but it’s not my career…..," Ron Harper posted.

Regardless of what Ron Harper said, the former Rutgers star doesn't seem too concerned about where he ends up, as he expressed sincere gratitude towards his basketball journey.

"This is something you dream of as a kid, I've been waiting all my life for this," Harper said at the NBA Draft combine in Chicago.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: