Dylan Harper Selected Second Overall by San Antonio Spurs in 2025 NBA Draft

Dylan Harper officially became a member of the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, selected second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

With a lineage that includes five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, who played for the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Dylan showcased impressive stats during his single season at Rutgers, averaging 19.4 points, 4.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.

"You know when you feel a cry in your chest and you're trying not to cry? I definitely felt that," Harper expressed in an interview after the draft. "But just seeing my mom and everyone else cry, I honestly felt joy and happiness, just seeing them and how happy they were just for me."

Maria Harper, Dylan's mother, also has a rich basketball background, having played Division I at New Orleans from 1993 to 1996. She coached his first AAU team and assisted on his high school squad. The first embrace after his selection was reserved for her.

"She means the world to me, coaching me from first grade to senior year," he stated. "For her to see this moment probably means the world to her. I love my mom and everything I do is definitely for her."

Maria reflected on her son's journey: "His flat-out love for the game, his determination, his humility and his hard work day in and day out."

In addition to Harper, the Spurs selected Carter Bryant, a 6-foot-7 wing from Arizona, with their 14th pick. Together, they inject youthful energy into a roster already featuring All-Stars Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox.

Harper is keen to integrate into the Spurs' system, having already garnered affection from fans who have embraced him even before his first practice.

Spurs supporters celebrated Harper's arrival with a mural unveiled at Rudy's Seafood restaurant, echoing the excitement that surrounded Wembanyama's image months prior when San Antonio secured the top pick in 2023.

"It's just very surreal," Harper remarked upon seeing the mural on social media. He also received an enthusiastic welcome from thousands of fans who gathered at the Spurs practice facility to watch the draft on a big screen.

This excitement is palpable; San Antonio has faced five consecutive seasons without playoff appearances following a remarkable stretch of five NBA championships during 22 straight postseason runs.

Joining Harper and Bryant are rookie of the year Stephon Castle and seasoned players like Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson. Wembanyama and Castle previously earned back-to-back rookie of the year honors for the franchise.

The Spurs are optimistic about Harper's potential impact as a rookie.

"When you play with a bunch of great players, it just brings the best out of you," Harper noted. "They've got a great core over there. I'm just ready to get in there and make an impact any way I can with those guys."

Regarded as the second-best prospect behind Duke's Cooper Flagg—who was selected first by the Dallas Mavericks—Harper joins a backcourt that already includes Fox and Castle. The Spurs showed no hesitation in drafting the 6-foot-6 guard.

Harper believes he can seamlessly blend his style with Fox and Castle in what has evolved into a positionless league. He expressed eagerness to play alongside Wembanyama, who missed the last 30 games of the previous season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.

"All the guys, but I think Stephon Castle is a big one, obviously besides Wemby," he said. "Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox. When you play with such good players, it just elevates your game. When you've got that many ball handlers on the court, you can really space the court out. It makes the game so much easier for everyone else. Just having the opportunity to be on the floor with all of them is great."

Bryant averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 37% from beyond the arc during his time at Arizona. The Spurs acquired their 14th pick through a trade with Atlanta that sent Dejounte Murray to the Hawks.

Additionally, San Antonio holds the 38th selection in the second round.