Dylan Harper has revealed that his mother, who was one of his coaches growing up, played a key role in helping his game.
The Rutgers player was picked second overall by the San Antonio Spurs and has generated excitement among the franchise and its fans with his personality.
He averaged 19.4 points in college and showed brilliance with them to finish his career there as one of the best players in Rutgers’ program.
Steph Curry also recently heaped praise on Harper and stated he loved the competitive spirit the young star had.
Despite not making the official NCAA tournament, Harper along with his teammate Ace Bailey, did enough during his time at Rutgers to earn significant recognition from NBA teams.
He revealed a lot of that success has happened because of his mother Maria Pizarro, who taught him something important at a young age.
Harper on getting coached by his mother
Dylan Harper is a son of former NBA player Ron Harper, who won five championships in his career.
He was an integral part of the LA Lakers and Chicago Bulls teams and played a role on both ends of the floor.
Although Harper’s father was a cult hero for many in the league, it was something his mother taught early in his basketball days that helped him become the player that he is today.
Speaking about her in an interview with For the Win, Harper said: “When I was younger, my mom ain’t let me shoot no jump shots. My mom has been my coach forever. She thinks that people shooting jumpers at an early age messes up all of the mechanics and all that.
“She really didn’t let me shoot the ball, so I had to go to the basket. That is how I scored the ball and that really translates now that I can also shoot the ball at a high clip. That really helped.
“There are players in the NBA that are faster and stronger and can jump higher. But I know my game and how much I’ve worked on my game.
Pizarro played D1 basketball herself when she was at the University of New Orleans.
She then coached Harper as one of the assistants in his high school, Don Bosco Prep, New Jersey.
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Harper’s mother on him getting drafted into the league
The Spurs rookie was accompanied by his mother, brother Ron Harper Jr. and father on draft day.
His mother spoke in an interview after her son got drafted, she said: “His flat out love for the game, his determination, his humility and just his hard work day in day out,” when asked about what has gotten her son to the NBA.
In an interview with the Athletic, back in 2023, Pizarro said: “I’m not big on girlfriends or house parties. “We get up, we go to school, we have our activity, whether it’s basketball or it’s dance, we get our homework done, and that’s about it. That’s the tone that I set in the household.”
Having already grown with a father in the NBA, Harper’s mother also set strict rules to help mould her son into a special player.
The 19-year-old will be exciting to watch as he shares the court with NBA star Victor Wembanyama, who is going into the third year of his career
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