Yesterday the expected NBA draft in Brooklyn and in the choice of rookies, which had as pick number one to Cooper Flagg, other promising players were highlighted as Dylan Harperselected by San Antonio Spurs in second place. The 19 -year base and 1.98 meters high, from the Rutgers Universitywas one of the protagonists of the night.
The young prospect, who will be a new player of the Spurs And he will share team with the French giant Victor Wembanyama (N ° 1 of the Draft in 2023), it has a family history linked to basketball, since it was trained by its mother, Mariay His father is Ron Harperfive times NBA champion: three with the Chicago Bulls by Michael Jordan and two with Los Angeles Lakers. In addition, his brother Ron Jr. Play in Maine Celtics of the G-League.
One of the most surprising data of Dylan Harper is that he signed a contract for four seasons with the San Antonio franchise for 56.1 million dollarsas he recorded Bleacher Report. It is the second highest of rookies, only surpassed by the Cooper Flaggwho 62.7 million in Dallas Mavericks for the next four years.
But that is not all, if we take into account the profits accumulated by Ron Harper during their 15 seasons In the NBA, the young Dylan will earn more money than his father in his first official contract. Michael Jordan’s former companion in the Bulls won approximately 35 million dollars in total salary, 21 million Less than his son’s contract, he extended the American site Sport Rush. Although it should be noted that if the total income of the former player They will fit inflation would rise to 63 million of the American currency.
Once the NBA commissioner, Adam Silverannounced the name of Dylan harpR As a new player of San Antonio Spurs, the emotion invaded not only the young man, but his parents, present in the Barclays Center New York. His mother, Mariawas the one who accompanied his son to the stage, while his father, Ronhe watched from his seat the celebration. This gesture, surprised those present, but there is a story behind.
Maria not only supported Dylan From the gallery, but assumed The role of coach of the Don Bosco Prep team, in which his son competed from the first degree to his last year of high school. The woman, former basketball player of the University of New Orleans and with a trajectory as a coach and technical assistant in women’s teams, could contribute her knowledge to help in the sports training of her children. The player himself acknowledged that his mother’s influence was decisive in his training, both in the technical and emotional aspect: “It’s all for me”.
The story of Maria Harper It is, in itself, a story of overcoming and adaptation. Born in Filipinasemigrated to the United States at age 7 and grew in the city of Paterson, New Jersey. His experience as an immigrant marked his character and his vision of life, values that he transmitted to his children. Maria and Ron Harper met in 1998They had their first child, Ron Jr., in 2000, and married in 2005. A year later Dylan was born. The couple separated in 2012but Maria’s relationship with her children, especially with Dylanremained solid and close.
During the interview after the national team, Maria Harper expressed her pride and admiration for the effort and dedication of Dylan. “His absolute love for the game, his determination, his humility and his hard work day after day”he listed in dialogue with ESPN.
The family dynamics of the Harper was also reflected in the statements of Dylan Before the draft. The young player emphasized the importance of his mother in his life and in his career. “My mom always tells me: ‘Keep the main thing as the main thing. Okay about basketball, we take care of the rest.’. That really was recorded because it allows me to concentrate on perfecting my game and the things that really matter, which is to play the sport that I love every day, ”said the future star.
In an interview with Jersey Sports Zone In April 2023, Maria explained the philosophy that guided the Harper family in their relationship with basketball. “We play the sport we love. They play it, I train it. It is a family issue, and so pure is in our family”he said. This vision of sports practice as a collective and affective project was reflected at each stage of Dylan’s development, who always had the support and guidance of his mother.
