Dylan Harper’s rookie season has had many ups and downs, as one would expect. His inaugural season is no different than any other first-year point guard’s. Throughout his debut campaign, the young bucket-getter has both struggled and excelled as a playmaker and rim-finisher. He has displayed moments of brilliance despite his imperfections.
Regardless, the Rookie of the Year ladder remains open. With no runaway winner, Harper has the opportunity to sneak back up into the race. This situation is especially true given the Spurs’ upcoming opponents. San Antonio is set to meet both the Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets ahead of the All-Star break. These two teams feature the top two leading candidates for the award.
Dylan Harper can make a massive statement before the All-Star Break
Unlike previous years, this Rookie of the Year race will be highly competitive. While Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel currently lead the way by a wide margin, there is no reason why a player like Dylan Harper can’t catch up.
There is no better way to cement yourself as king than by taking down those below you. If Harper can not only win but also outduel both Flagg and Knueppel, he will get a major boost in the Rookie of the Year standings.
To do this, Harper must electrify his offense and prove he can score with the best. With the disadvantage of coming off the bench, Dylan must capitalize on every minute he gets on the court and be unafraid of taking shots. Whenever he is on the floor with either of the leading rookie stars, the Spurs point guard must look to embarrass them.
Dylan Harper is capable of winning Rookie of the Year
While Dylan Harper’s quiet 10.2 points per game heavily trails both Flagg and Knueppel, his talent level certainly does not. The Rutgers alum can win ROY, but he isn’t in the best position to do so.
Since day one, Harper has proved that he is capable of sizing up against anyone in the NBA. The fearless rookie has shown an impressive comfort level on the NBA court and has displayed his breadth of basketball knowledge. He has thrived as an on-ball creator and distributor, working well with his new Spurs teammates.
Prior to his recent slippage in 2026, Harper was dominating around the rim and taking down whatever opponent stood in his way. He illustrated all of the traits that made him the second overall and gave the Spurs no regrets in drafting him.
Harper’s ascendancy is inevitable. He will make his way to the top in a matter of time. The upcoming matchups against the Mavericks and Hornets could be the beginning of his reign of terror. The time is now to hedge your bets on the rookie becoming a future superstar in the NBA.
