Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, is expected to make his preseason debut on Friday night when the Spurs take on the Jazz at Frost Bank Center, per Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News (Bluesky link). Harper will play limited minutes on Friday, McDonald adds.
Harper underwent surgery in early September to repair a partially torn ligament in his left thumb. Reporting at the time indicated that there was optimism about the rookie guard’s ability to return in time for San Antonio’s regular season opener. Today’s update suggests there have been no setbacks in his recovery process.
Widely considered the best prospect in the 2025 draft class behind Cooper Flagg, Harper was drafted second overall by the Spurs even though they already had former All-Star De’Aaron Fox and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle in their backcourt.
Fox is recovering from a hamstring injury and may not be available when the Spurs’ regular season tips off, but it looks like Castle and Harper are both on track to be ready for opening night.
Harper was highly productive during his first and only college season at Rutgers, averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals in 32.6 minutes per contest across 29 games, with a shooting line of .484/.333/.750. He appeared in two games for the Spurs’ Summer League team in July, averaging 16.0 PPG and 22.1 MPG, though he struggled with his shot in the very limited sample (.357 FG%, .125 3PT%).
Other than Flagg this will be a terrible draft. Maybe not nearly as bad as 2024, but close.
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16 players 18-19 yr olds in first rd. You got answers after 3 preseason games. Scouts have said this is a deep draft. Any 19 yr old won’t show for 3-5 yrs. But you can tell us all how bad they are now. I’m sure you have scouted all 59 players ….