Dylan Harper worked out privately last week at his old high school, Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey and the San Antonio Spurs were in the building.
Students on campus tell me Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson and general manager Brian Wright were both in attendance, getting an up-close look at the Rutgers standout.
A McDonald’s High School All-American, Harper was a standout player at Don Bosco Prep under esteemed head coach Kevin Diverio. During his senior year in 2024, he averaged 22.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game, leading the Ironmen to a 26-3 record and a state championship.
Harper, a projected top-three pick in this month’s NBA Draft, is the only lottery-level prospect who’s worked out for San Antonio so far, league sources tell me.
The Spurs, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, have been doing their homework on the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and brother of current Detroit Pistons forward Ron Harper Jr. I’m told Harper remains a serious name in internal discussions—thanks to his versatility, high basketball IQ and two-way potential.
The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 19.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists last season for the Scarlet Knights. And he’s got high-profile backing. LeBron James gave Harper his stamp of approval in an interview with me back in January.
“I’ve been watching him for quite a while,” James told me. “He calls me ‘unc’ and I call him ‘nephew.’ I love what he’s been doing at Rutgers. Special kid, special talent. He’s going to be really good in this league. He comes from a great family—me and Harp, his pops, go way back. So I’m excited for what he’s doing now and what’s ahead.”
The Don Bosco Prep workout wasn’t staged for cameras or show. No media, no distractions — just Harper, his inner circle and the Spurs’ top brass watching closely.
San Antonio’s front office is known for moving in silence. But their presence in Northern New Jersey?
That might be saying plenty.
