Dylan Harper has been set up to shine in playoffs

Winning the Rookie of the Year trophy was an initial goal for Dylan Harper this season. But winning games was actually his absolute priority – and the young San Antonio Spurs guard could well be playing in the playoffs while other prestigious rookies watch the competition from their couch.

« It’s every kid’s dream, to play on the big stages, » Harper, 20, told Andscape recently. « I may come off the bench, but in about a month, I’ll be playing in the playoffs. Not many rookies can say they can do that at a high level and play significant minutes. »

A bench rookie on a contending team

The odds smiled on the Spurs during last year’s draft lottery, when they secured the 2nd overall pick after having only a 26.3% chance of finishing in the top 4. After the Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the first pick, San Antonio chose Harper – despite a backcourt already featuring two-time All-Star De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, 2025 Rookie of the Year.

Without a spot in the starting five, Harper established himself as a key reserve for the Spurs during his rookie campaign, posting averages of 11.5 points (on 49.8% shooting), 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game before the match against the Golden State Warriors.

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On the NBA.com Rookie Ladder, Harper ranks fourth behind Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe, who are all averaging at least 16 points per game as starters. Harper admits that coming off the bench for the first time in his life required an adjustment.

« It was tough at first, just trying to find my role, trying to pick my spots, things like that, » Harper explained. « But as the season progressed, the second unit was able to come together with me – KJ [Keldon Johnson], Luke [Kornet] – we kind of have our little group and we can play basketball. »

Dylan Harper legitimately has the skillset to be one of the best finishers in the league

He’s got elite size & strength, and, on top of that, he has a ton of counters and dribble moves plus the ability to change his pace at will

That’s a dangerous combo pic.twitter.com/lCcghcadLN

— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) April 2, 2026

The advantage of playing on a competitive team

The big difference between Harper and other rookies? He has a chance not only to play in playoff games but especially to compete for a title. Led by Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs had the second-best record in the league on Tuesday, behind defending champions Oklahoma City.

« Even if I don’t have the volume or minutes [that other mentioned rookies] are getting, I’m playing meaningful basketball, » Harper emphasized. « Every day, in every game I enter, we’re playing for something. We’re playing to win. We’re playing for the next big thing. »

This situation contrasts with that of his competitors for rookie honors: Kon Knueppel and the Hornets will be in the play-in tournament, Cooper Flagg and the Mavs won’t make the playoffs, and VJ Edgecombe with the injury-depleted Sixers will potentially need to qualify through the play-in.

NBA.com’s updated rookie ladder:

1. Kon Knueppel
2. Cooper Flagg
3. VJ Edgecombe
4. Dylan Harper
5. Ace Bailey
6. Maxime Raynaud
7. Cedric Coward
8. Derik Queen
9. Jeremiah Fears
10. Tre Johnson

— Mave Hoops (@mave_sports007) April 1, 2026

Wembanyama quickly gained confidence in Harper: « It’s rare to be a very good shooter as a rookie, first of all. And I know it’s rare to have [that talent] as an NBA player in general. And very, very quickly I had confidence in him. »

Harper hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father Ron Harper Sr., who won five NBA championships during his 15-year career. « I’m grateful that the Spurs picked me, » Dylan Harper concluded. « And I’m grateful that it’s in a position like this. »