Dylan Harper reflects ahead of 2025 NBA Draft, chance to play for San Antonio Spurs

Dylan Harper is a consensus projection as a top pick, specifically at No. 2 overall, in the 2025 NBA Draft. It’s a lifetime achievement for the former top recruit and college freshman as his name gets called tomorrow night in making it to the association.

Harper looked ahead to his moment at the NBA Draft in an appearance on SportsCenter this morning. He says it’s something he has thought about and looked forward to throughout his life, especially during the draft process the past three months. Because of that, and as a native of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Harper is going to have plenty of people there to celebrate with him at the Barclays Center.

“I mean, I think it’s something you think about every day,” said Harper. “I mean, in everyday life, just getting in the gym to really eating dinner, you’re going to think about it all day. So, I mean, just having this blessing to being able to be on the top stage is obviously a blessing.

“Oh, as big of a crew as you can get (will be there). I mean, I live 45 minutes, 50 minutes away with traffic so, I mean, everyone going to be there.”

Among that group with him will be Ron Harper, his father and a 15-year veteran himself in the NBA having played for the Cavaliers, Clippers, Bulls, and Lakers winning five times in the NBA Finals as part of a three-peat in Chicago from 1996-1998 alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman before being part of two seasons of another three-peat with Los Angeles in 2000 and 2001 with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. Ron Harper Jr., his brother, also has some pro experience after a decent career in Piscataway as well. That’s quite the resumé for the Harpers as a family with the dad, a former top-ten pick himself, being able to tell his next son what this is about to be like.

“I mean, just always stay grounded, just always keep on working no matter what,” Harper said of what his father has told him. “I mean, he always tells me like, as fast as you get all this now, it’s coming fast you know, it ends pretty quick you know. It’s like a breeze. So, enjoy the moment, stay where your feet are.”

Harper averaged 19.4 points (48.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT on 1.7 makes), 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game this year for Rutgers. He would be a selection to the All-Big Ten Third Team and All-Big Ten Freshman Team, like his other freshman teammate in Ace Bailey, for the Scarlet Knights. That’s after being a Five-Star+ recruit as the No. 3 overall prospect and No. 1 combo guard in the 2024 cycle.

Now, going into tomorrow night, Harper is projected behind only Duke’s Cooper Flagg at No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks, which would land him with San Antonio at No. 2. When asked for his thoughts on the franchise, Harper liked the idea of being the next young talent, with last year’s roster being an average of 25.6 years old being led by Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, the past two winners of NBA Rookie of the Year, as well as De’Aaron Fox, with the Spurs.

“I mean, that would definitely be great, would definitely be a blessing to have the opportunity just because they’re two young players, young stars,” Harper said of playing alongside Wemby and Castle. “You know, the rest of the team, from top to bottom, is really good. So, I mean, when you get to play with better players and the best of the best, it just brings out your best game.

“I mean, I think I’m bringing that (personality). You know, they’re really young. I think, to bring another guy in there that’s just full of energy, just happy to be there and would do whatever he needs to do to help his team win and whatever the coach asks. So, I mean, really everything, I mean. Whatever they need me to bring, I’ll always be that guy to bring it.”

Harper is 36 hours out from the biggest moment of his life tomorrow night in Brooklyn. He’s more than ready for it, though, with his talents likely headed to San Antonio to try and be another big prospect for their franchise.