Filipinos have another name to look up to in the NBA after Dylan Harper was taken second overall in the 2025 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. Harper, who is the son of former NBA guard Ron Harper, is half Filipino via her mother's side.
Following the announcement that the Spurs took Harper, ESPN posted a graphic on Instagram to acknowledge the small but growing group of NBA players with Filipino blood. The post showed images of Raymond Townsend, the first Filipino-American to play in the league, Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green and Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain.
"Filipino roots. Global game ðµðð Dylan Harper joins some of a few players with Filipino heritage in NBA history!" the accompanying caption read.
Missing from the graphic shown by ESPN, however, was Ron Harper Jr., Dylan’s older brother, who has played for the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.
Meanwhile, a Filipino sports great, widely viewed as the greatest of them all, took notice of ESPN's post, as the only eight-division champion in boxing history, Manny Pacquiao, left a comment on it.
"#represent ðµð," Pacquiao wrote.
Dylan Harper celebrates with Ace Bailey after being selected by the Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Dylan Harper celebrates with Ace Bailey after being selected by the Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Pacquiao is a man of many things outside of the boxing ring, and that includes being a huge basketball fan, just like millions of others in the hoops-mad nation of the Philippines.
Perhaps Harper can return the favor to Pacquiao soon by showing support for the boxing icon in his upcoming fight on July 19 against World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight champion Mario Barrios in Las Vegas.