NBA prospect Dylan Harper comes from a championship family—but his 13-year-old sister might be the real star in the making
Image viaAs Dylan Harper waits to hear his name called during the 2025 NBA Draft tonight, it's not just his basketball future that has people talking—it's his family. The 19-year-old Rutgers standout comes from a lineage of athletic greatness, but there's one name quietly making waves in her own right: Mia Harper.
While Dylan could soon share the court with NBA legends, his 13-year-old sister is stealing the spotlight in her own way—on the dance floor, and perhaps one day, the hardwood too.
Inside the
Harper family
dynasty: Championship roots,
NBA prospect
rise,
G League
grind, and one rising dance star
Dylan Harper
's NBA dream is just the next chapter in a family legacy built around sports. His father,
Ron Harper,
was an NBA fixture for 15 seasons, winning five championships alongside the likes of
Michael Jordan
and
Scottie Pippen
with the
Chicago Bulls
. Dylan's older brother, Ron Harper Jr., is grinding in the NBA G League, and their mother, Maria Pizarro Harper, once played college ball at the University of New Orleans before coaching prep school basketball.
But then there's Mia—the youngest Harper sibling, and arguably the boldest. When asked by NorthJersey.com in 2024 who the best athlete in the family is, the then-13-year-old didn't hesitate: 'It's me,' she said. 'Everyone says this. Yes.'
Dylan might not fully agree, though he did admit she's close. 'She is a close second,' Dylan said in a recent interview. 'She's not first. My pride kicks in here. She's not first though.'
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Their mom, however, sided with Mia. 'At comparative age of 13… Mia, 100 percent,' Maria said. 'She jumps higher. She's more coordinated. She's explosive.'
Despite her athletic gifts, Mia has chosen a different path—for now. She's a competitive dancer at Studio L. Dance in Waldwick, New Jersey. But Dylan believes if she ever switched back to basketball, she'd be a force. 'She'd be like a 6-foot-2 point guard in high school,' he said.
'Caitlin Clark.'
Tonight will mark a major milestone for Dylan Harper as he steps into the professional ranks of the NBA, likely as a first-round pick. It's a culmination of years of hard work, family legacy, and relentless focus. But even as the spotlight turns to him on draft night, the Harper household remains a team effort.
Also Read:
Dylan Harper drops 8-word reaction as Times Square debut fuels NBA draft buzz and San Antonio Spurs rumors
From Ron's championship pedigree to Maria's coaching wisdom and Ron Jr.'s current grind in the G League, it's clear this is no ordinary sports family. And right in the middle of it all is Mia—confident, explosive, and carving her own lane. Whether she stays on the stage or returns to the court, one thing is certain: the Harper name isn't fading anytime soon. In fact, it's just getting started.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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