Dylan Harper reacts to becoming last Spurs' SLAM cover boy

Dylan Harper’s reaction Tuesday to making the cover of SLAM Magazine underscored the second-year Spurs guard’s humble approach to fame.

“It was crazy,” Harper said after practice. “That’s my first time ever being on the cover by myself. Just having that opportunity, seeing the greats and everyone else who was on the cover before me, it’s just an honor that my name is up there.”

The cover photo shows Harper in his black No. 2 Spurs jersey while spinning a basketball on his finger. It’s accompanied by the all-caps headline “THE AWAKENING.”

Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox are the other current Spurs to make the cover of SLAM. Spurs Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Tony Parker and 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard have also been featured on the cover.

“We’re all pretty blessed,” Harper said.

Harper, 20, said he isn’t letting fame distract him from the task at hand.

“It’s not something you can hide from,” said the New Jersey native, who enjoyed a strong rookie season in 2025-26 as the No. 2 overall pick (11.8 points, 3.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 34.3% from 3-point range) but was even better in the postseason (14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, five games of 20-plus points, including two in the Finals).

“People around you are going to tell you, (people) close to you are going to tell you, your phone’s going to tell you, but I am just focused on getting better. We all got the same goal after the way last year ended (losing in five games to New York). So my biggest thing regardless of anything is to just have my best (season) this year.”

Along those lines, Harper listed showing growth as a leader when asked what part of his game he wants to strengthen the most as a sophomore.

“That’s the biggest thing, just have my voice, making sure I know everyone’s spots as much as my spots,” he said. “And just knowing the whole nuance of the system, just bring everything else to another level, whether that’s shooting the ball, IQ, defense, everything.”

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This article originally published at Dylan Harper reacts to becoming last Spurs’ SLAM cover boy.