"Tell everyone around you that you love them": Dylan Harper shares wholesome message for fans on Christmas Eve

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper shared a wholesome message for college basketball fans on Christmas Eve. Harper, the No. 3-ranked freshman in the Class of 2024, behind teammate Ace Bailey and Duke superstar Cooper Flagg, thanked God for his skills and talent on the court and told fans to be grateful for everyone and everything they have.

The combo guard told his fans to show their love to people around them and concluded that waking up every day is a blessing. Harper's Christmas greeting was posted on NCAA Noobita on X, and it read:

"Merry Christmas to everyone mannn beyond blessed to be in the position im in right now but nun of of that would of happen if it wasnt for the man above be greatful for everyone and everything you have and tell everyone around you that you love them life to short not too fr. Waking up everyday is a blessing."

The son of 15-year NBA veteran and five-time champion Ron Harper has played well this season for the Scarlet Knights. He is fourth in the nation in points per game at 23.3 and has tallied 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.1 steals per contest in 12 games for Rutgers.

The 6-foot-5 Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, native has formed a 1-2 punch with Bailey, leading the Scarlet Knights to a 7-5 (1-1 Big Ten) start.

In his last outing against Princeton on Saturday, Harper finished with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. He shot 9-of-18 from the field (1-of-6 from 3-pointers) and connected on 3-of-5 of his foul shots.

His efforts fell short as Rutgers lost an 83-82 squeaker to the Tigers (9-4) on a Caden Pierce twinner with five seconds left in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Dylan Harper continues to build up his case for No. 1 pick in 2025 NBA draft

Like Cooper Flagg and Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper has a solid chance to become the No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft. He's proving to experts and pro scouts that he deserves to be the top selection in the annual event.

In terms of points, Harper's 23.3 ppg is way ahead of Flagg (16.3 ppg) and Bailey (17.6 ppg). The Duke star is the best rebounder of the three with 8.6 rpg, beating Bailey and Harper, who average 7.6 rpg and 4.8 rpg, respectively.

Harper has a better assist average among the three first-year players at 4.2 per outing. Flagg is close behind at 3.5 dimes each contest, while Bailey lags at 0.7. Harper's 1.1 steals per game is better than Bailey's 1.0 spg, but Flagg is slightly ahead at 1.5 swipes.

Meanwhile, Flagg owns the blocks department at 1.3 per game, Bailey is second at 0.9 and Harper is third at 0.4. The Rutgers guard has the best shooting percentage of the three at 51.9%, while Bailey and Flagg are far behind at 45.8% and 42.1%, respectively.

Although the 2024-25 college basketball season is far from over, Harper and Flagg are well ahead of Bailey in the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft. Bailey still has at least 18 games to prove his case as the top pick, not Harper and Flagg.