Pelicans Rumors: Two potential SEC targets for 2nd round of NBA Draft

Jared Harper: Guard, Auburn, Junior

The Tiger’s junior holds a solid career stat line of 15/2/4, but on an underwhelming 39.9% from the field, and 35.9% three-point shooting. He is a small player who plays so much bigger than he actually is. He has a very soft touch on his 3 point shot and a good range from just about anywhere on the floor.

On the defensive end, he does have a knack for stealing the ball (1.2 steals per game throughout college career) and turning defense into transitional offense. Though Harper is tough and plays with heart,  I worry about him crashing into bigger and stronger players and getting hurt due to his 5’10, 175-pound stature. He gives off vibes of Isaiah Thomas, and it would be sad seeing a great kid get hurt in a similar manner.

If he can learn to play smarter and let the game come to him organically instead of forcing the issue and playing overconfident, I believe he will be an Isaiah-like player (with good health, obviously) with a decent future. Ranked 61st in the ESPN Top 100, I wouldn’t expect him to go 39th to the Pelicans but like with Holman could be a smart undrafted pickup.