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Dylan Harper's Mom's Basketball Background Resurfaces After Viral Draft Moment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 3:04 PM ET

Dylan Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, turned a lot of heads on Tuesday after the San Antonio Spurs drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick, right after the Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg.

The former Rutgers Scarlet Knights joins a team with an intriguing core, composed of the last two Rookie of the Year award winners, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. The young guard might be the last piece the Spurs need to contend again and challenge for the NBA championship for the first time since 2014.

After averaging 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game and shooting 48.4% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 75% from the free-throw line, Harper's ceiling is pretty high.

Besides his on-court performances and expectations, the rookie drew a lot of interest when the fans found out who his mom was.

Maria Harper caused a huge impression on fans, who were obsessed with the lady. Details about Maria Harper, who Dylan Harper called his "first-ever coach," resurfaced after she went viral.

NBA reporter Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson shared some bits about Maria Harper's basketball background. She played Division I basketball at the University of New Orleans and now serves as an assistant coach at Don Bosco Prep, adding more to her almost three decades of coaching experience.

Maria Pizarro immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at seven. Her family arrived at Paterson, New Jersey. She started playing basketball in fifth grade, originally as an after-school activity.

Maria Harper has been working nonstop for many years. She and Ron Harper were behind "Ring City," a basketball program based in New Jersey that was sponsored by Nike in 2009, mostly due to the Harpers' attempts to build a competitive program in the area.

Patherson Catholic and DePaul Catholic High School employed Maria Harper before she focused on guiding Dylan Harper to college and then the NBA.

Dylan Harper surely had many people to look up to growing up, but it all started at home, with his five-time NBA champion dad and long-tenure coach mom showing him the way.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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