Dylan Harper Hypes Spurs' 'Great Young Core' After Going No. 2 in 2025 NBA Draft

Dylan Harper is excited to be a San Antonio Spur.

Harper was selected by Spurs with the No. 2 pick at the 2025 NBA Draft. Following the pick, he expressed his excitement to play with a team that features star young talent like Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.

"When you play with a bunch of great players it brings out the best of you," Harper said on the ESPN broadcast. "They have a great group of young players and I'm just ready to get in and make an impact with those guys."

The 19-year-old possesses a 6-foot-6, 215-pound frame and hails from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. He spent his only collegiate season at Rutgers, where he averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and four assists in 29 games. He was named 2024-25 All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman for his efforts.

Despite his and fellow NBA Draft prospect Ace Bailey's efforts, Rutgers still struggled to a 15-17 season and did not qualify for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. While he wasn't able to elevate the Scarlet Knights in his lone season, his talent and frame should help him translate to the NBA as a combo guard.

Harper joins a Spurs team that is building a promising young core. Wembanyama and Castle are the two reigning Rookie of the Year winner's and a mid-season trade brought De'Aaron Fox to the franchise.

Despite the promise, San Antonio is in an extended playoff drought. The team went 34-48 and missed the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. While this is the longest drought in franchise history, 2024-25 was a 12-win improvement from the prior two seasons.

Now, Harper, Castle, Wembanyama and Fox bring some star power and will look to lead the Spurs to a better future.