As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, many top prospects are drawing comparisons to established stars, offering insight into their playing styles and aspirations.
In a feature for The Athletic, Mike Vorkunov spoke with 13 draft-eligible players to find out which NBA athletes they model their games after.
Among them, Rutgers standout Dylan Harper cited versatile “big guards” like Cade Cunningham, James Harden, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as inspirations, highlighting his emphasis on size, vision, and scoring ability.
Meanwhile, UConn’s Liam McNeeley said his game resembles that of Gordon Hayward, pointing to Hayward’s well-rounded skill set and high basketball IQ.
These comparisons give scouts alike a clearer sense of how the next generation sees itself fitting into the league.
Draft Notes: Celtics, Flagg, NBA Comparables, McGlockton https://t.co/SB0SGXNwvQ pic.twitter.com/hxHa6aVCqI
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) May 20, 2025
