Spurs guard Dylan Harper staying the course during rookie season

Spurs guard Dylan Harper staying the course during rookie season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper is quietly having an impressive rookie season.

The rookie guard is averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 43 games. He's shooting an efficient 46.7% from the field in 21.7 minutes per night.

Harper told the San Antonio Express-News that he's staying the course during the long season and isn't worried about the "rookie wall."

“A lot of people hit it, not just rookies,” Harper said. “Everyone hits a wall at some point. Being in this league, you hear a lot of people talk about the dog days of the NBA. You just have to stay the course.”

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Harper has scored 10+ points in six of his past seven games, including 14 points, five rebounds and eight assists versus the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

The Spurs selected Harper No. 2 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. The guard has flown under the radar this season, as he hasn't received the same hype as fellow rookies Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe.

But he's putting together an impressive rookie season for the league's hottest team. San Antonio has won six straight games and eight of its past 10.

Harper is part of an impressive young core for the Spurs, joining Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, both of whom won Rookie of the Year honors. He's fit seamlessly in the backcourt with De'Aaron Fox, who was recently named an All-Star.

He's turned into an important part of the Spurs' rotation and will gain valuable playoff experience this spring. The Spurs (38-16) are second in the Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Harper and the Spurs return to action Feb. 19 against the Phoenix Suns.

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