dailyloe.com – San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper is contributing to a title contender immediately after being drafted second overall in 2025. The 20-year-old is playing meaningful minutes for a playoff-bound team, a rare feat for a top-five pick. Harper recently told Andscape that playing on big stages was every kid’s dream.
His initial goals for the season included winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award. However, winning games was his top priority from the outset. This focus aligns with the Spurs’ successful season and playoff push.
The Spurs secured the No. 2 pick with a 26.3% lottery chance of landing in the top four. Dallas selected Cooper Flagg first overall before San Antonio chose Harper. This was despite the Spurs having a starting backcourt of De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
With no starting role available, Harper has excelled as a reserve. He is averaging 11.5 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. His shooting percentage is an efficient 49.8% in 22.3 minutes per contest.
On the NBA.com Rookie Ladder, Harper currently ranks fourth. He trails Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg, and VJ Edgecombe. All three players ahead of him are averaging at least 30 minutes per game.
Harper embraces his role coming off the bench for the contending Spurs. He noted that not many rookies get to play high-level, meaningful minutes. His situation is unique among the 2025 draft class.[]
Source: Andscape
