No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during the 2025 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot.
Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and VJ Edgecombe participated in an NBA Reddit AMA during the annual Rookie Photo Shoot at the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas. Check out their responses below:
Question: What players do you model your game after, and what players do you think you are similar to in terms of play styles on both ends?
Harper: All the big guards that resemble the same size as me. I’d say Shai, Cade Cunningham, James Harden, Luka Doncic. They are all around the same height. just how they how they control the game, the pace. How they can score and a little bit of everything. On advice I have for a lefty is work on your right hand too, because a lot of teams are going to force you to go right even though you’re a lefty.
Edgecombe: I like to learn from everybody but the player I watch more than anyone is Anthony Edwards. Him being a two-way player and being able to play with and without the rock and play alongside other great players.
Question: Who’s in your all-time starting 5?
Flagg: LeBron James at the 1. Michael Jordan at the 2. Kawhi Leonard at the 3. Tim Duncan at the 4 and Shaquille O’Neal at the 5.
Edgecombe: Steph Curry, Jordan, LeBron, Kevin Durant and Shaq.
Question: What is the best way to improve your passing and playmaking for teammates?
Edgecombe: The best way would probably just to know where my teammates like the ball. I feel like that plays a big part in them making the shot, and that’s the only way I’m going to get my assists, if they make the shot. Knowing where they like the ball I would say is the best.
Question: Was there a specific game, a play you made, or a matchup against another top player where it just clicked and you thought, “Okay, I have what it takes to be one of the best in the world”?
Edgecomb: I don’t think I have had a game where I thought that. You can call it delusion, but I just feel like I can be the best player ever if you ask me.
Question: Any particular matchups you’re circling on your calendar yet?
Harper: Thats a good question. Obviously New York because I’m from New Jersey and it’s not like I get to come home for one or two days, so that’s definitely a circle on my calendar. [And is there a specific rookie that you’re looking forward to playing with?] Carter Bryant.
Flagg: I think the Hornets will be a big game obviously with them having three of my former teammates, that will be really fun to play against them. The Suns with Khaman Maluach, the Cavs with Tyrese Proctor, the Pelicans with Derik Queen and the Hawks with Asa Newell. I think any game where I get to face off against one of my teammates would be pretty cool.
Question: Which player on your new team are you most looking forward to playing with and learning from?
Edgecombe: The whole squad. Everyone on the team. I know it’s going to be a fun year, so I’m looking forward to it
Question: Aside from you, who do you think has a chance at winning Rookie of the Year? Any dark horse?
Harper: I would probably say Ace Bailey or Cooper Flagg, but a dark horse I think would be Derik Queen.
Flagg: I gotta go with my guys Kon Kneuppel, Tyrese Proctor, Dylan Harper. VJ Edgecombe definitely has a chance he’s really skilled. Some of those guys.
Edgecombe: Dark horse? I would say Tre Johnson. He’s an elite player, super skilled. Any given night he can go for 30 or 40. So I would say Tre or Walter Clayton Jr.
