Dylan Harper Looks Anything But a Rookie in NBA Cup Finals Showcase
San Antonio’s young core is already drawing attention-and for good reason. Dylan Harper, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, put on a performance during the NBA Cup Finals that had fans and analysts alike doing double takes. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he’d been in the league for years.
Harper came into the game shooting just 28% from deep. By the end of the night, he’d knocked down a career-high five threes, flashing a level of confidence and rhythm that belied his age.
But it wasn’t just the shooting-it was the total package. He mixed in aggressive, controlled drives to the rim, finishing through contact and showing off the kind of footwork that turns heads.
That’s what sparked comparisons from national voices like Bill Simmons, who didn’t hold back, likening Harper’s footwork and poise to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-and even Kobe Bryant. Now, let’s pump the brakes before we start chiseling his name into the Hall of Fame, but there’s no denying Harper’s polish is rare for a 19-year-old guard.
Not Your Average Rookie Point Guard
Rookie point guards, especially ones taken near the top of the draft, tend to follow a pattern: flashes of brilliance, some highlight passes, maybe a big scoring night or two-but also a whole lot of turnovers, defensive lapses, and inconsistent shooting. Harper’s already breaking that mold.
Coming off the bench for the Spurs, he’s been a steady, reliable presence. He’s not forcing things.
He’s playing within the flow of the game, making smart decisions, and showing an advanced understanding of spacing and tempo. That’s not something you usually see this early from a teenager trying to find his footing in the NBA.
What stands out most is how composed he looks. He’s not the fastest guy on the court, and he’s not blowing past defenders with pure athleticism.
But he’s getting to his spots. He’s using angles, timing, and that left-handed craftiness to get into the paint and finish.
That’s where the comparisons to players like Gilgeous-Alexander make sense-not in terms of accolades or stardom, but in style and approach.
A More Grounded Comparison? Think Manu.
If we’re talking about more realistic comps, Manu Ginobili might be the better name to throw out. Ginobili wasn’t a freak athlete, but he was relentless.
He attacked the rim with purpose, he made the smart play, and he had a knack for making the game bend to his rhythm. That’s the kind of vibe Harper is giving off right now.
And just like Manu, Harper isn’t settling. He’s getting downhill, he’s making defenders think twice, and now that his three-point shot is starting to fall, he’s becoming a real problem for opposing backcourts. Add in his court vision and defensive awareness, and you start to see a player who can impact the game on both ends.
The Ceiling Is High-and He’s Just Getting Started
What makes Harper’s early success even more intriguing is the context: he’s doing all this at 19 years old. He won’t even turn 20 until March.
For perspective, Ginobili didn’t make his NBA debut until he was 25 and didn’t really hit his stride until 27. Harper’s already showing signs he could be a major contributor-and possibly much more-before he even hits legal drinking age.
Will he be the next SGA? Or Kobe?
That’s a lofty bar, and it’s not one he needs to clear to be a star. If Harper continues on this trajectory-developing into a consistent shooter, a solid defender, and a high-IQ playmaker-he’s got All-Star and All-NBA potential written all over him.
And when you start to think long-term about what the Spurs are building-pairing Harper with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle-you start to see the outlines of something special. A trio with size, skill, and smarts. A group that could grow together and make real noise in the West for years to come.
Harper’s not just ahead of schedule-he’s rewriting the playbook for what a rookie point guard can look like. And if this is just the beginning, San Antonio might have found its next great backcourt star.