Dylan Harper, the 2nd total choice in the 2025 NBA Draft, has actually flown a little listed below the radar this season, however not due to the fact that of bad play.
In reality, the novice has actually been producing at a rock strong level. He’s simply captured in between more fascinating stories.
In the shadow of Flagg and Wembanyama
Entering into the draft, the focus was extremely put on the very first total choice, Cooper Flagg, who went to Dallas.
While Harper was broadly viewed as the second-best gamer in the draft, and got selected appropriately, he merely didn’t draw the very same quantity of headings.
Even his college colleague, Ace Bailey, saw more attention come his method, in spite of a substantially lower flooring.
After being picked by the Spurs, Harper when again discovered himself a bit on the outdoors, with the majority of the attention from Spurs fans going to Victor Wembanyama, which appears reasonable enough.
This absence of direct exposure, one may argue, has actually benefitted the 19-year-old, who has actually had the ability to incorporate himself gradually into both the Spurs, and the league at big.
It’s worked.
Harper, who is a 6′ 5 lead guard, is balancing 14.4 points, 4.6 helps, and 4.6 rebounds per video game to open the season, and has actually played an important function in the Spurs opening the season 5-0, a franchise record.
Harper’s capability to get to the rim, making quality reads out of the choice and roll, and even operate as an efficient protector this early in his profession, suggests rather the future.
Terrific Wembanyama fit
Harper, who was prepared with the concept of being coupled with Wembanyama for several years to come, is currently appearing like a clever choice on that account.
While he technically plays a comparable function and position as in 2015’s Novice Of the Year, Stephon Castle, the duo interacts in big part of their size benefit over other backcourts (Castle is 6′ 6, and 220 pounds), and their capability to interchangeable.
Harper does not manage the ball at every ownership, and is presently getting an education in how to use himself when the ball runs out his hands.
The novice does require to end up being a much better shooter, particularly from behind the three-point line, however his stroke isn’t broken, so there ought to be optimism on that front, particularly as he gets increasingly more comfy with the speed of the video game.
His consistent concentrate on discovering Wembanyama in scoring positions is good, and reveals a terrific determination for Harper to implant himself even more into what the Spurs are constructing.
The child appears to comprehend the circumstance. That for all of his skills, he’s never ever going to be as great as his French colleague, however if he discovers to accept that, there might be champions awaiting him down the line.
So, yes, he isn’t spoken about enough. However that does not suggest his video game isn’t loud.
Unless kept in mind otherwise, all statistics through NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning Up the Glass or Basketball-Reference All income details through Spotrac All chances thanks to FanDuel Sportsbook
Source: Forbes.
