Dylan Harper reminds himself an unexpected encounter with Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan

San Antonio Spurs Rookie Guard Dylan Harper already knew she was enters a franchise with a rich history. Even before signing his first contract, he looked good five primary banners who hang out with rafters During his draft exercise.

What he did not expect to have encountered franchise legends on the ordinary afternoon afternoon, walking in the gym as if they were just another part of the landscape. 19-year-old could not hide the excitement in his voice when he described the moment when he turned and saw Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich Walking together. He thought he had to imagine for a moment.

The teenager had to look twice to make sure his eyes did not play tricks. Then, with the instinct of any young fan that grew up by hearing stories about Spurs dynasty, he passed straight to greet them.

“I had to give them and take the video” Harper Tested Icela with a wide smile. “It caught me on guard. I thought,” What are they doing here? “I was like,” maybe they’re just here a day? “And they’re like,” No, they are constantly here. “And so, when they talk about Spurs and their culture, it’s really what culture is.”

He said he met Popoviča for the first day to arrive at the facility. “I met Pop the first day I was there and the team,” Harper said. “Pop was there to be treated and for exercises. It’s not regularly in any NBA gym, the hallway of the fame players who walk around the gym. I can pick up their brain and ask them.”

Popovich, who trained spurs for almost thirty years, whether he maintained his health and remain engaged with the team. Duncan, who helped bring five titles San Antonio, was like the present. For Harper, it was something completely new. He visited others at the NBA gym during the draft process and never saw anything like.

Most teams have photos of their legends on the walls. Spurs have their icons in the building, ready to share advice or give support whenever necessary.

Harper grew up with basketball in my blood. His father, Ron Harper, won five NBA championships next to Michael Jordan, and later with Koba Briant and Shakuille O’Neal. His mother Mary, was a guard from a defensive point in line with the University of New Orleans.

Although Dylan never saw his father play in person, he often heard stories. He remembered attending weekends in 2019. in Chicago, where he caught the Glymps of NBA big move through the halls as if it was not a big deal. Even then, he felt the basketball was more than a sport; It was a network of relationships and memories that stretched over generations.

“Being in the back rooms and let’s see the great stars walk as if regular people were crazy from me,” he said. “We played Brice (James) in New York, LeBron’s son, and I saw a link between (my father and Lebron James) and I can see someone in the league. It is like brotherhood in a way.”

His own path to NBA began in New Jersey, where he starred in Don Bosca Prep before joining Rutgers University. As a freshmen, Harper is on average 19.4 points and 4.6 rebounds, which shows a mixture of scoring, vision and competitive spirit that made a top perspective.

Spurs chose it by another total choice In Draft 2025, adding it to young cores already involved Victor Vegradia and Stephon Castle, who was conquering Novak year in consecutive seasons.

When Harper first entered the Spurs facility, but carried the weight of expectations. But seeing Popoviča and Duncan personally reminded him that each big career was built step by step. He felt encouraged knowing that he would have the opportunity to learn from two esteemed digits in basketball history.

The atmosphere did the Harper feeling that he did not join the text, but becomes part of something larger. He hopes to indicate the lessons of his family and Spurs learned him.

In San Antonio, the transparents on the wall speak only part of the story. The real measure of the spurs of the walking hallways, shakes your hand and reminds you that the size is a daily choice. For Dylan Harper, that a surprise meeting was not just an unforgettable moment, but a powerful introduction to the culture now calling home.