“It’s probably one of the best feelings,” said Harper when he saw his new Spurs jersey.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Spurs rookie Dylan Harper received his official team jersey from GM Brian Wright when the franchise introduced him to the city, as throngs of fans cheered for him at The Rock at La Cantera at the recent fan fest.
But that was not the first time he laid eyes on his new work uniform.
Days before his official welcome to the city conference, he received an early look at his new uniform when he entered the team locker room and shared it on his social media.
It was a moment that didn’t feel real to the rookie guard.
“It ain’t feel real. Everything’s kind of blurred; just seeing your name on that NBA jersey for the first time, it’s probably one of the best feelings besides when getting your name called,” he said.
Harper will be wearing jersey No. 2 next season. He will be the first to wear it since former Spur Kawhi Leonard put it on before unceremoniously leaving San Antonio.
Harper, an athletic, dynamic 6-foot-6 guard capable of scoring at will, a playmaker who can play multiple positions, was the Spurs’ No. 2 pick overall out of Rutgers at the 2025 NBA Draft.
As a freshman at Rutgers, he averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 48% from the floor. He’s also a skilled playmaker and a solid on-ball defender who can guard multiple positions.
He is considered a rising star despite not playing a minute of an NBA regular-season game.
“He’s got a rare confidence with humility,” Spurs general manager Brian Wright said after the first round of the draft. “He’s a very down-to-earth, simple kid, loves basketball, and after spending time with him throughout the process, you can tell that he knows he’s a good basketball player. But he wants to be part of a group, he wants to be part of a team, he’s willing to sacrifice, he’s willing to work for it.”
Now that the pomp and circumstance are over, it is time for him to take his first NBA steps, beginning at the 2025 California Classic and the Vegas Summer League.
Wright did say Harper will play this summer, and his chance to prove he is worthy of wearing the Spurs colors with his name branded on the back.
“Just seeing my name on the jersey, that number two, and just seeing that’s on the Spurs jersey was amazing,” he said.