On January 30, 2021, Bergen County’s Dylan Harper made his high school debut playing for the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen. Now tonight on June 8, 2026, one of New Jersey’s greatest basketball products returns to the tri-state area, this time as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, playing against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, competing for the Larry O’Brien trophy at the Mecca of basketball: Madison Square Garden.
“I haven’t really processed it. When we made it to the Western Conference Finals. And I knew that there was a chance we could go there…It was surreal. But I’ve been to so many Knicks playoff games, Knicks games, I live 25, 30 minutes from the arena, so I know it’s going to be a whole lot of tickets. I’m going to get asked for it, but my phone will be off for that. But just it’s a dream come true. It’s the blessing it’s kind of where I’ve always wanted to play at for the finals. And I think that if you would have told me this last year, I would have told you you’re crazy. But I mean, I think that you kind of go through what you go through to get the moments like this, and I think I kind of just have been steady and just wanting what’s best for me.” Harper said postgame of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on May 31.
Spending his high school years at Don Bosco and playing a year at Rutgers in college, this is a full circle moment for Harper who is returning to where it all started after making it to the biggest stage of all. While New Jersey has seen what he brings to the table, he’s made his presence known to the rest of the world, especially in these playoffs. Averaging 15.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the two finals games against New York, he’s been crucial for the Spurs despite the team trailing 2-0.
With basketball in his blood, Harper is following in the footsteps of his immediate family. Playing 16 seasons in the NBA, his father Ron won five championships in six years between both the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. His brother Ron Jr. is a Rutgers legend and is currently a member of the Boston Celtics after earning a guaranteed contract while grinding in the G-League. Despite his father and brother having professional experience, the biggest influence of all? His mother. Maria Harper, a former Division-I athlete and a coach for roughly 30 years, has been a massive factor in Dylan’s journey. Coaching him from elementary all the way to high school, she has been a centerpiece to his development and success.
Harper started popping up on the radar in high school during a tremendous career at Don Bosco Prep. As a Junior, he was awarded player of the year by NJ.com and participated in USA Basketball’s Junior National Team minicamp. Entering his senior season, he was ranked at the top of the class of 2024 by every major recruiting site with ESPN ranking him number one. He’d go on to help the Ironmen win the Non Public A state championship along with being named New Jersey’s Gatorade Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All-American, and many more awards.
When it was time to make a decision for college, Harper stayed home and chose Rutgers over schools like Duke, Kansas, and Indiana. He wasn’t going alone either as fellow top recruit Ace Bailey also committed to play in Piscataway. Two of the top prospects in the class of 2024 were set to join forces with expectations through the roof in hopes of one of the best seasons in Scarlet Knights history. The outcome was a complete 180 however as the team struggled and was only good enough for a 15-17 season. With two stars projected to go top 5 in the NBA draft, the most highly anticipated Rutgers teams in years turned to one of the most disappointing college basketball teams of all time. In 29 games with the Scarlet Knights, Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and four assists.
The infamous college season was clearly a bump in the road as both players went on to be top five picks in the 2025 NBA draft with Harper going second and Bailey selected at five. They were the two highest draft picks in program history.
The 19-year-old shooting guard has played the typical rookie role in his short time in San Antonio. Starting only four games this season, he has come off the bench, keeping stability for the starters as they rest. Averaging 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, he’s played consistent basketball which shows he will only get better as time goes on.
Who knows what’s in the store for the rest of the Finals. But the bottom line is tonight is a moment Dylan Harper has dreamed of his entire life. While we may not see it watching at home, it’s sure to be an emotional moment when he steps on that MSG court.
