After a memorable first spherical of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Spurs are strolling away with two extremely touted prospects: 2nd total choose Dylan Harper and 14 total choose Carter Bryant. Harper has just about been a Spur since they gained the rights to the second total choose again in Could, so followers in all probability know extra about him than Bryant, however each are nonetheless new to the Spurs household.
Whereas they’ve and can proceed to get damaged down extra as gamers with time — in the event you missed it, make sure to take a look at Jacob Douglas’s breakdowns of Harper and Bryant — it’s additionally value attending to know them extra as individuals as effectively, starting with Harper.
Harper was born in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey to 5x NBA champion Ron Harper and mom Maria (née Pizarro). Maria (whom you’ve in all probability seen everywhere in the web after going viral on the draft) is a local of Baatan, Philippines and performed school basketball for the College of New Orleans. She is presently an assistant coach at Don Bosco Preparatory Excessive Faculty in Ramsey, NJ, which is the place Dylan and his older brother Ron Jr. — who most lately was a two-way participant for the Detroit Pistons — each attended.
As a junior in highschool, Dylan was named the NJ.com Participant of the 12 months, and he led his crew to the state title as a senior. He was named a McDonald’s All-American, Gatorade Participant of the 12 months finalist, and a member of the distinguished Nike Hoop Summit crew. Recognized for his sturdy construct and measurement for his place, and was a five-star recruit who turned down affords from powerhouses like Duke to comply with in his father’s (and brother’s) footsteps and selected Rutgers College.
Though the Scarlet Knights struggled to a 15-17 season regardless of excessive expectations for a crew that includes Harper and fellow top-5 choose Ace Bailey, Harper nonetheless completed second amongst all freshman with 19.4 factors per sport, together with 4.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in his lone school season. In consequence, he was chosen second total by the Spurs final evening, and regardless of questions of match alongside De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Fortress (none of whom have confirmed to be constant exterior shooters…but), Harper completely matches the mould for the Spurs as the sport transitions additional in direction of position-less basketball.
Match doesn’t appear to be a priority for Harper, who stated all the correct issues about coming to San Antonio:
“I feel whenever you play with a bunch of nice gamers, it simply brings one of the best out of you. They obtained an excellent younger core over there. I’m simply able to get in there and make an influence wherever I can with these guys.”
“I feel all my life it’s all the time been how can I am going someplace the place you make one thing occur and clearly get to the championship. I feel with that younger group, they’re in the correct course. They’ve obtained an excellent the whole lot, man, from the entrance workplace to the tools supervisor, to the video man. They throughout are nice. I feel the coach over there’s nice. I’m simply completely happy that I’m part of it now.”
Harper is each factor the Spurs need in a participant: hardworking, defensive-minded, humble, and able to put within the time. He’s anticipated to take part in Summer season League, so it gained’t be lengthy earlier than followers get to see him in motion. Till then, get pleasure from some highlights and breakdowns.
Once more, welcome to San Antonio, Dylan!
