Dylan Harper looks on during the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. David L. Nemec, Getty Images via AFP
BROOKLYN, New York — Another Filipino American is set to make waves in the NBA.
Dylan Harper, a standout from Rutgers University, was selected second overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft held Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Harper matches the historic feat of Jalen Green, who was also drafted second overall in 2021 by the Houston Rockets, marking another proud moment for the Filipino-American basketball community.
Standing at 6-foot-4½, Harper now joins a promising young Spurs roster that includes back-to-back NBA Rookie of the Year winners Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama. The trio is expected to be the cornerstone of San Antonio’s future.
Sacrifices behind the success
Speaking exclusively to ABS-CBN News, Harper’s mother, Maria Pizzaro Harper, opened up about the sacrifices her son made in pursuit of his NBA dream.
“His work ethic was relentless. Early mornings in the gym… sometimes waking up at 4 AM just to train before school,” she shared. “He missed all the things that teenagers normally do — prom, hanging out with friends — because he gave himself 1000% to the game.”
Harper, whose mother was born in the Philippines and moved to the U.S. at the age of seven, expressed how much it means for him to carry the Filipino flag into the league.
“It definitely is surreal… just me wanting to rep them and show my colors and truly who I am. So it’s definitely great,” Harper said.
A grandmother’s pride
Harper’s lola, Lilia Pizarro, was visibly emotional as she reflected on her grandson’s milestone.
“Masayang masaya ako na na-achieve niya ang dream niya since childhood,” she said. “He’s always been determined and a perfectionist even as a little boy.”
Mrs. Harper, who also raised another NBA player — Ron Harper Jr. of the Detroit Pistons — credited Filipino values for her sons’ success.
“The Filipino culture, our values, and work ethic are deeply engraved in our children. They watched my parents work tirelessly as immigrants, and they saw me balance a full-time job while coaching them,” she said.
Gunning for a third straight Rookie of the Year
With San Antonio producing the last two Rookie of the Year winners, Harper said he’s aiming to keep the streak alive.
“It’s definitely a goal of mine. With teammates like this, they’ll make it easy for me to showcase what I can do,” he said.
Harper’s lottery selection adds another proud chapter in the growing legacy of Filipino Americans in the NBA — a dream now realized for the young guard and the community he represents.