Dylan Harper, the second overall pick of the 2025 draft, made his preseason debut against the Jazz on Friday, and he didn’t disappoint. The 20-year-old point guard finished with nine points on six shots to go with three assists in just 18 minutes off the bench in his first time wearing Silver and Black and facing an NBA team.
The numbers are impressive, but fail to represent just how encouraging Harper’s debut truly was. The rookie, who has struggled with injuries since leaving college, looked like
a composed veteran who was comfortable and in rhythm.
His first bucket came on a cut after he perfectly sold that he was going to set a screen on the corner, only to dart to the rim a moment later. His second make came on the ball, using a double screen from Luke Kornet and Victor Wembanyama that made the defense hesitate for a second, giving Harper the opportunity he needed to turn on the jets and get a layup. Then he hit a tough baseline midrange jumper. After that, he canned a three, showing how well-rounded he is as a scorer already.
As a set-up man, he was equally exciting to watch. A simple Kornet screen was enough for Harper to turn the corner and attack and he found the rolling big man with a quick pass for an easy bucket. Then he got the ball near midcourt as the Spurs pushed the pace following a miss and he found Victor Wembanyma beating his man down the court for an alley-oop, a play many playmakers failed to execute in recent years. His final dime came on a drive to the rim in which he kept his dribble alive, and instead of forcing a shot, he fired a pass across the baseline for a Julian Champagnie corner three.
As with the scoring, his full array of skills was on display, as he demonstrated the ability to orchestrate plays in the half-court while utilizing his speed to create opportunities for others, as well as quick decision-making and vision on the break.
Now, a single preseason game doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. It’s possible and even likely that he’ll struggle in the remaining two matches and early in the year, especially against better opponents. Yet watching Harper show off the exact skills that made him such a coveted prospect was massive, considering the context of his rookie season. As mentioned, he struggled with health issues that limited his ability to work on his game.
Moreover, there’s been a lot of talk about his fit in a crowded backcourt. It would have been understandable for a young player to respond to adversity and scrutiny with nerves. Instead, Harper seemed comfortable out there and sure of who he is and what he can do. His maturity and poise were as impressive as the plays he made.
It’s not surprising for a player of Harper’s level to do well in a preseason game, even as a rookie. Anyone who watched him in college and even his short stint in summer league can tell that he’s a special talent. He also seems to have exactly the type of confidence and composure that should help him navigate a potentially challenging rookie year in which his role and his minutes could change often.
Dylan Harper played like Dylan Harper in his debut. As long as he continues doing that, there will be plenty of reasons for optimism both in the short and long term.
