Dylan Harper joins Spurs as 2nd pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dylan Harper stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the second pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The San Antonio Spurs, as expected, selected Dylan Harper with the 2nd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After winning consecutive Rookie of the Year titles with Victor Wembanyama in 2024 and Stephon Castle in 2025, the Texas franchise hopes to achieve a historic triple with the young Rutgers point guard.
Harper (6’5″, 19 years old) enters the NBA after an outstanding NCAA season, where he set the freshman scoring record at Rutgers with 564 total points. His averages of 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, with 48.4% shooting efficiency, earned him Third Team All-Big Ten honors and a spot on the conference’s All-Freshman team.
A versatile profile for a positionless system
Harper’s selection might be surprising given the presence of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle on the Spurs roster. However, San Antonio’s management prioritizes versatility in their transition to positionless basketball. With his 6’11 » wingspan and ability to create offensive advantages, Harper perfectly fits this philosophy.
« Harper excels in creating advantages, penetrating defenses, and scoring in transition, » according to Bleacher Report’s analysis, which compares his profile to that of Cade Cunningham. Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report’s draft expert, ranked him 2nd on his big board and believes that « with continued progression, it’s easy to envision an All-Star trajectory similar to Cade Cunningham’s. »
Victor Wembanyama quickly welcomed his new teammate, demonstrating the team’s enthusiasm about this selection. The Harper family was also present to celebrate this historic moment. « His pure love for the game, determination, humility, and hard work day after day, » said Maria Harper, his mother, explaining her son’s rise to the NBA.
Son of Ron Harper, five-time NBA champion with the Bulls and Lakers, Dylan Harper joins a rebuilding franchise with high ambitions. After improving from 22-60 to 34-48 last season, the Spurs hope to reach new heights with this young and talented core around Wembanyama.
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