Dylan Harper places a great emphasis on family, a value he hopes to find in his future with the NBA.
Interestingly, during his visit to the Spurs ahead of the NBA Draft—where he’s projected as the No. 2 pick—the strong team chemistry immediately caught his attention.
“You really get a sense of family when you walk through their facility,” Harper shared. “It’s about fostering chemistry and ensuring everyone stays connected… I feel like I can contribute to that.”
Throughout his media presence on Tuesday, Harper continuously highlighted the concept of family, which extends beyond mere blood relations in the NBA. His father, Ron Harper, has five championship titles under his belt, and his brother, Long Junior, has been playing in the league for three seasons now.
Indeed, it was Harper’s mother, Maria, who played a pivotal role in his early basketball development. She coached him until his junior year of high school, really pushing him to excel.
Visiting San Antonio left a positive impression on the 19-year-old, allowing him to recognize the alignment of his personal values with those of the team.
“Family, loyalty—those are big for me. I think the best teams, the ones with the strongest chemistry, they truly value every person on board, whether you’re the head coach or the 15th player. There’s a feeling of equality,” he mentioned.
Choosing to stay closer to home, Harper remained in New Jersey rather than going almost anywhere as a five-star recruit. He pursued the legacy of his brother at Rutgers while keeping a close connection to his hometown of Franklin Lakes.
Now, as he transitions to the NBA, he carries with him the morals instilled by his family.
“That means a lot to me—my father, my mother, my siblings, my grandparents, everyone. There’s so much support from them,” Harper expressed.
He also mentioned a fellow player named Castle, who he’s already watching closely, indicating he’s maintaining awareness of all aspects of the game.
“It seems like a wonderful environment,” Harper concluded, reflecting on his recent experiences.
