Tre Johnson vs. Dylan Harper; a look inside the race for 2024's No. 1 prospect

Monday’s release of the updated 2024 On3 150 provided more conversations than in the past. For the previous two cycles, the top spot in the rankings was cut-and-dry. It was more a formality really; Tre Johnson is No. 1. Ok, who is No. 2 was the extent of the discussion.

However, this cycle was different; there was a discussion at the top. Dylan Harper is coming off an MVP performance at the John Wall Holiday Invitational and followed that up with a monster game in front of a national audience on Showtime against 2023 five-star DJ Wagner, and top-ten-ranked Camden (NJ) High.

Like On3 was with Johnson three cycles ago, we were the first to put Harper in the conversation for No. 1 in the class. Harper was as good as one could be at Nike’s Peach Jam in July and his production warranted the bump. Harper averaged 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, with a 54.7 true shooting percentage. Harper led his NY Rens team to the Peach Jam 16u Championship game.

While both players are listed at 6-foot-5, and they are both classified as guards, their skill sets are very different.

Dylan Harper has unmatched feel

While Dylan Harper has always been good, it was Nike’s Peach Jam that served as his breakout. The numbers he put up throughout the week were eye-opening, and his consistency in making winning plays let the country know he was ready for the spotlight.

During last month’s John Wall Holiday Invitational, one of the top Christmas Tournaments in the country, Harper averaged 28.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals. He led his team to the championship of this tournament as well and won. Harper was 7-of-10 from three for the event and got to the free throw line 7.3 times per game.

In last week’s showcase game against intrastate rival Camden (NJ) High, Harper put up 36 points. It was a head-to-head matchup against 2023 five-star and Kentucky signee DJ Wagner. While Camden High gave Harper his first loss of the season, Harper was the best player on the floor that game.

Harper is the son of five-time NBA Champion Ron Harper. He is the younger brother of Ron Harper, Jr., who is currently on a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors.

The question with Harper comes with the athleticism. He relies on pace, footwork, and IQ to get to his spots as opposed to the burst you see from many other peers at his position. However, When you look at the production, he is able to consistently put up against the highest caliber competition; there comes a time when you have to re-focus the lens on what he does and how he does it.

Tre Johnson gets buckets

When the lights are shining brightly, Tre Johnson is at his best. During his four games at the prestigious City of Palms last month, Johnson averaged 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

Johnson also led his Dallas (TX) Lake Highlands team to the championship of the Allen Holiday Invitational. In the title game, the five-star finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. At the recent Red River Shootout, it was a lot the same. Johnson exploded for 37 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. He was 8-for-10 from three.

Johnson has a slender frame with long arms and wide-set shoulders. There is still some projection there as the 16-year-old will continue to add weight. Already carrying straight-line athleticism and pop, there is still ceiling there to grow into.

Johnson’s dad, Richard Johnson, scored over 1,100 points in college, shooting 41.7 percent from three over his final three seasons. Already carrying straight-line athleticism and pop, there is still ceiling there to grow into.

This is a conversation where we see current production intersect with future projection. That was enough to keep Johnson at the No. 1 spot…for now.