Family matters: How close ties helped Fil-Am Dylan Harper shape his young career

GMA Network

20 hours ago

Jun 25, 2025; Dylan Harper stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the second pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft. (Brad Penner-Imagn Images/REUTERS)
NEW YORK — The San Antonio Spurs might be headed back to their winning ways after drafting Filipino-American player Dylan Harper at number 2 in this year's NBA Draft.
Harper, the highest-picked draftee from Rutgers University, averaged an impressive 19 points per game in his only collegiate campaign, making the decision easier for San Antonio executives. But more than a promising young core, Dylan looks forward to the concept of family and culture in one of the most-respected sports organizations in the world.
After all, his basketball career, so far, has been characterized by strong familial bonds amongst his peers.
'I think all my life has been 'how I go somewhere, make something happen' and obviously get to the championship. With that young group, they're headed in the right direction. Great everything, man. From the front office to the equipment manager to the video guy. They're all around great. The culture over there is great. I'm just happy to be part of it now," said Harper.
Growing up, it is easy to deduce that he got his basketball influence from his dad, 5-time NBA champion Ron Harper. It is, of course, correct, but not quite the entire picture.
'My mom. I mean my mom coached me from first grade to senior high school so definitely her,' Dylan talked about his mom's impact on his basketball journey.
Filipina Maria Pizarro Harper has been guiding her kids since they first started dribbling a basketball.
Her resume is also quite impressive. She played Division 1 basketball for the University of New Orleans in the '90s, a time when Asians had difficulty breaking into the sport in the United States.
After her stint, she transitioned to coaching, which has been her profession for the past three decades.
Her guidance led to her kids reaching the game's premiere stage. Ron Harper Jr., the eldest of two sons, plays for the Detroit Pistons, while Dylan will start his professional career with the Spurs.
'For her to see this moment and just be there for my journey and see all the good and the bad. This probably means the world to her as much it means to me. I love my mom. Everything I do, it's definitely for her," Harper said.
'My mom always tells me keep the main thing, the main thing. Basically, go worry about basketball, let me take care of the rest. That really stuck with me 'cause it allowed me to work on my craft, work on the things that really matter.'
'I mean, it means everything to me. It means the world, I think. My family's been there for me through thick and thin. Times got rough. To have them here supporting me, either from the table, from the stands. I appreciate them and I truly love each and every one of them.'
His strong family ties led to the decision to stay home for college, committing to Rutgers in his hometown in New Jersey. He teamed up with fellow five-star recruit Ace Bailey, who happens to be part of his close circle. The two have been good friends for a few years already before teaming up. This off-court chemistry translated on the court as they provided the Scarlet Knights' one-two combo this past season.
'Just for me and Ace, I think we developed a lot because from the beginning of the season to the end of the season, you can see us really develop, how our game grew and more mature. It felt great because Ace, that's like my best friend. Me and him have been tight for 4-5 years so just being able to play on the same court with him, it was special,' Harper said.
Both will stay in the same conference, but will be playing for different teams as Bailey will look to fulfill his potential as a member of the Utah Jazz.
'I love that man, I'm so happy for him. Sky's the limit for him. Utah got a great guy, great prospect and a great family guy who's going to take care of the next person," Harper said of Bailey.
The lefty guard looks to build rapport with his new teammates and, arguably, one of the best set of young players in the country; including the last two rookie of the year winners Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle and a veteran star guard in De'Aaron Fox.
'I mean really all the guys. I think Stephon Castle is a big one. Obviously excited for Wemby. So Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox. When you play with such good players, it just elevates your game. And when you got that many ballhandlers on the court, it makes the game so much easier for everyone else.' He said of his new teammates.
Harper, for the first time in his young career, will be away from home. That's part of the challenge he plans to overcome heading to the biggest chapter of his life.
'Excited, honestly. I'm gonna take it with grace. And I'm also gonna be happy where I end up at.'
—JKC, GMA Integrated News