The San Antonio Spurs are taking a cautious approach with their second overall pick, Dylan Harper, who missed the summer league due to a groin injury. This follows a trend for the Spurs, who have historically limited the exposure of their top talents during the Summer League. Victor Wembanyama played only two games last year, and Stephon Castle was sidelined with a wrist issue before.

Despite not debuting on the court, Harper's leadership qualities are already resonating with his peers. Fellow rookie Carter Bryant praised Harper for his ability to guide and inspire winning teams, citing his accomplishments in high school and AAU tournaments. However, it's worth noting that Harper's college record with Rutgers was less stellar, raising questions about his immediate impact in the NBA. Nonetheless, the Spurs hope his prior successes translate to success in the league.