Dylan Harper and Wembanyama: A Promising Partnership in the Spurs
Rookie Dylan Harper has learned a valuable lesson: throwing an unstoppable alley-oop to Victor Wembanyama is nearly impossible. In his preseason debut with the San Antonio Spurs, Harper demonstrated the connection he is building with his star teammate. In the game against the Utah Jazz, Harper connected on an alley-oop for Wembanyama to score with a two-handed dunk, a highlight in the Spurs’ 134-130 victory. After the play, Harper acknowledged that he could have made the pass more difficult than necessary.This alley-oop was just a small detail in a near-perfect performance by Harper in the first half. The player recorded an impressive plus-minus of 22 in 12 and a half minutes, with 9 points (4 of 5 in shots) and two assists. In the third quarter, he added another assist before being substituted with 6:23 remaining, due to a minute restriction. Harper finished the game with 18 minutes played and a plus-minus of 20.I’m going to throw it a little higher.
Dylan Harper
Harper, who had expressed nervousness before the game, adapted quickly. His first two assists were alley-oops for Wembanyama and Luke Kornet. He also excelled on defense, guarding players all over the court for much of his minutes.It’s just another step for him and his young career, as he will continue to grow.
Mitch Johnson, Spurs Coach
Harper scored his first basket 10 seconds after entering the action, with a layup after an assist from Harrison Barnes. His next basket was against his former Rutgers teammate, Ace Bailey. Harper missed the first two preseason games as a precaution after undergoing surgery in September to repair a partially torn collateral ligament in his left thumb. Despite wearing a splint on his injured thumb, he participated in many of the team’s practices. Harper emerged unscathed from his first preseason action, but admitted he must “rewire his brain” to accurately calculate how to throw alley-oop passes to his new 7-foot-4-inch teammate.It’s good to be on the court with him. He seems ready, he already feels very comfortable throwing these kinds of passes. So I’m very confident and I’m very happy to be able to spend time on the court with him.
Victor Wembanyama
I should have thrown it higher, much higher. It’s weird. Nobody has played with someone so tall. You go out there. You throw it and you think you threw it too high. But then he catches it and you think, ‘It’s a little too low.’ So just little things like that. Just throw it where nobody else can catch it, only him.
Dylan Harper
