The San Antonio Spurs are walking away as a pleased group with their work in the 2025 NBA Draft. While the potential for a trade was always there, the team decided to remain committed to building through the draft, adding both Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant with the second and 14th overall picks, respectively.
The two stars, who play vastly different styles and positions, could add to a young core in San Antonio that includes the past two Rookie of the Year winners, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. However, for Bryant and Harper, this team-up is a long time in the making.
From High School to the NBA: Carter Bryant and Dylan Harper Reveal Unique Pact
Both Bryant and Harper were excellent recruits going into the collegiate circuit. While Harper joined Rutgers as the program’s highest-rated recruit in history, the Swiss Army knife Bryant went to Arizona.
For the point guard, his style of play translated extremely well for the program, as he put up 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and four assists per game. Seen as the clear-cut second-best player in the draft, it wasn’t surprising when the Spurs chose to add him to their roster.
Bryant, however, was a different case. Averaging 6.5 points on the Wildcats, he made his name on the defensive end. While not as refined on the offensive end, his ceiling was through the roof, mainly due to his high basketball IQ.
Immediately after Bryant was drafted, Harper was very happy with the choice, saying:
“That’s been my guy since freshman-sophomore year. We connected, so I’m just happy and glad that he got here.”
Their connection, though, goes beyond just a healthy respect on the hardwood. Speaking at the press conference, Bryant had a story to tell about their days coming up through the high school circuit.
“I’m looking forward to playing with my guy D-Harp. It’s been a long time coming. We had a lot of conversations throughout high school, whether that was trying to play together in college. Just maybe playing together at some point. For him to be my draft buddy and being able to both go in the lottery and being able to represent San Antonio is dope.”
Going on, he revealed a hilarious story about the first time they met each other as opponents in the AAU. Jacob Tobey, the Spurs TV Play-by-Play voice, captured the entire clip on X.
“Dylan and I actually met playing an AAU tournament. We played in New York Rens, and I’ll never forget, he was killing us. I was the biggest dude on our team, so Coach had me guarding the 5 man. I was like, ‘Coach, I promise I can stop him.'”
“I promise you: you can’t stop me!”
Dylan Harper to Carter Bryant the first time they met playing against each other in AAU 🤣 https://t.co/oW8Wb3Liq4 pic.twitter.com/8JMVR56qJz
— Jacob Tobey (@JacobRTobey) June 26, 2025
Right then, his new teammate walked by the bench and responded:
“I promise you, you can’t stop me.”
For the two of them, the connection goes beyond the basketball court, as Bryant added:
“I love that dude. He’s a great dude, great family. His father has always been great to me.”
While their journey playing together is just about to get started, it is clear that Bryant and Harper share a warm connection. With the Spurs potentially looking to join the playoff hunt with Wembanyama at the helm, their growth is going to be a huge factor in how fast San Antonio becomes competitive.
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