San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper, the guy we all knew had superstar potential when he went number two overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, absolutely blew people away in his first year. He just proved he belongs as one of the top players on the Spurs, hands down. Honestly, after his 2026 Playoffs performances contrasted with De’Aaron Fox’s, some fans are even calling for Harper to be the starter.
Popovich Isn’t Just “Around,” He’s In It
Think about it: being a Spur means access to some of basketball’s smartest minds. We all know Gregg Popovich isn’t the head coach anymore, but he’s still running the show as team president. That means he’s around the players, a lot, and Harper is soaking up every single piece of advice like a sponge. It’s more than just casual mentorship, though. Popovich is actually pretty involved in Harper’s development, like really hands-on. And it’s not just Pop, either. Imagine getting valuable advice from a legend like Popovich, plus being able to hit up Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili whenever you need to? That’s a dream culture for any young player trying to level up.
The Texts That Tell You Everything
What’s truly wild is how Popovich keeps Harper locked in. Harper straight up said, “He might know who I am better than I know who I am… Like in times where I might be a little passive or I might not be as aggressive… He will calmly send me texts like: ‘No, like this is not how you’re going to play. You’re going to play like how we know you can play.’” Talk about belief! That’s not just a coach; that’s someone who sees your ceiling and won’t let you settle. For a young player like Harper, getting that kind of direct, no-nonsense support, especially through texts, tells you everything you need to know about how much the Spurs believe in him. This isn’t just coaching; it’s deep-level player development, shaping the whole mentality.
With Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs have built a long-term future that looks absolutely stacked. You gotta be hyped to see what this young core does together. Keep an eye on Harper as he continues to evolve, pushed by one of the game’s greatest minds.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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