Dylan Harper has been hooping lately and NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner and the rest of league observes rewarded him by putting him at no. 7 in the Kia Rookie Ladder. He was previously unranked.
This should be a welcome recognition for the no. 2 overall pick but his father and former NBA player Ron does not think it is enough. He believes son should be higher because his team is in the winning bracket.
So we will credit losing on bad teams now? lol
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) December 11, 2025
The latest rookie ranking also saw Dallas Mavericks no. 1 pick Cooper Flagg take the no. 1 spot for the first time ever after a slow start. Other rookies who got high ranking are Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel, New Orleans Pelicans’ Derik Queen (no. 3) and Jeremiah Fears (no. 5), and Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (no. 4). The other player ranked higher than Harper is VJ Edgecombe of the Philadelphia 76ers at no. 6.
Spurs are currently fifth in the Western Conference with a 17-7 record while Flagg’s team are 9-6 and is 10th in the standings. Knueppel’s Hornets are not any better while the Pelicans are at the bottom.
Other users seem to agree with Harper’s dad.
“Harper doesn’t play like a rookie. He’ll change gears real soon and have the ROY on lock. Take that to the bank,” wrote one user.
“Dylan is so good I keep forgetting he is a rookie. Flat out should be on the top of the list. So happy he is playing for the Spurs. Major impact player and LEADER,” said another.
Dylan Harper is working catch up
Harper missed a number of games after a strong start and now, he is playing catch up, having played all the last seven games. Coach Mitchell Johnson is allowing him to do that and he is glad that the the Spurs is the team where he landed.
“Just to be in this type of environment with this team is great… I wouldn’t want to get drafted anywhere else.”
Dylan Harper on his first season with the Spurs 🗣️
(via @spurs, h/t @HectorLedesmaTV) pic.twitter.com/oR5InfhlvR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 11, 2025
If Dylan Harper ever gets into a situation where he has the needed usage, he’s going to have a season at some point where he averages 30 points per game. He is so gifted
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) December 11, 2025
Usage is a barometer for Harper and Tony Jones might be right. He played just 20 minutes in their NBA Cup win over the Los Angeles Lakers but it is because he did not have to be there for them all the way since it was already a dominant win for them.
Six players scored in double digits in that game and as he and his teammates say, it does not matter who goes off as they do not play for personal glory but for the team.
“We don’t care who does it, we just want to get it done.”
Stephon Castle was the leader among SEVEN @spurs double-figure scorers in their Quarterfinals W!
De’Aaron Fox: 20
Keldon Johson: 17
Harrison Barnes: 16
Julian Champagnie: 16
Dylan Harper: 13
Luke Kornet: 10 https://t.co/ExGM4ViF2X pic.twitter.com/kkgLflTjSE— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2025
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