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Houston Rockets
Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio Spurs
Aug 24, 2025 1:09 PM EDT
With the second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs selected Dylan Harper, by far the best point guard prospect, from Rutgers University.
While the Scarlet Knights found little team success with Harper and Ace Bailey, playing in the shadow of New York in the Big 10 drew some eyes, and Harper, last month, joined Knicks’ legend Carmelo Anthony to discuss his NBA dreams and possible role.
Harper knows that the Spurs value a team-first mindset, as well as depth, and understands that behind De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, he might not get a starring role right away.
He compared himself to an NBA legend who famously started his career coming off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“James Harden was with the Thunder and came off the bench for three, four years waiting his turn,” Harper said. “So everyone gotta wait for theirs.”
Of course, Harden didn’t get a starting role until after he was traded to the Houston Rockets in a cost-cutting move. While Harper’s comments were lauded by Spurs fans for his unselfishness, Harden didn’t become the best scorer in the league until he joined his second team.
Hopefully, Harper is able to realize his potential in San Antonio, but the full story of James Harden should be remembered, not just the unselfishness that he exhibited at the start of his career.
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Jonah Kubicek