Dylan Harper Makes NBA Finals Debut After Impressive Journey

In a remarkable turn of events, Dylan Harper is set to compete in the NBA Finals just two years after leading Don Bosco to a state championship. The San Antonio Spurs secured their place in the finals by overcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on May 30. They will face the New York Knicks, marking a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals.

Harper, a 6-foot-5 guard, was selected as the second overall pick in last year's NBA Draft. During his high school career, he amassed 1,646 points despite having part of his freshman year cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He shone brightly at Rutgers for one season and capped off his high school tenure by scoring 26 points in the 2024 Non-Public A state final, leading Don Bosco to a decisive 56-29 victory over Paul VI and finishing the season on a 19-game winning streak. Following the championship win, longtime coach Kevin Diviero praised Harper, stating, “He’s the best player we’ve ever had at the school.”

The Spurs are entering the finals after battling through a tough seven-game series against the reigning champions, the Thunder. In contrast, the Knicks will come into the finals well-rested, having swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, extending their winning streak to 11 games since Game 4 of the first round.

Dylan Harper comes from a basketball family; his father, Ron Harper Sr., clinched five NBA championships during his 14-year career, with three titles from the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls and two from the Kobe Bryant-era Los Angeles Lakers. Dylan's older brother, Ron Jr., who also had a successful stint at Don Bosco and Rutgers, is currently playing for the Boston Celtics.