Wednesday night was supposed to be about Dylan Harper, but a family member would end up stealing the spotlight.
Harper, son of former Miami University great Ron Harper, was selected second overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA draft.
Harper and his mother, Maria Pizarro, spoke to the ESPN cameras moments after the Rutgers man was picked to join Victor Wembanyama in Texas.
“It’s surreal,” Maria told ESPNW. “The NBA is a very, very exclusive club. He’s worked so hard to get here. I’m just proud of.”
Her brief appearance on television sent thousands of basketball fans into meltdown on social media.
While Harper is the son of former LA Lakers player Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion, and brother to Detroit Pistons player Ron Harper Jr, his mother has actually played a central role in his rise to the NBA.
Following his selection, Dylan Harper told the world how he felt about his mother.
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“She means the world to me,” Harper said during his post-draft press conference.
Dylan on mom Maria Harper, who taught him the game: “She means the world to me.” pic.twitter.com/7zGn6CbxRr
— Jerry Carino (@NJHoopsHaven) June 26, 2025
Maria and Ron divorced in 2012.
Dylan Harper is A Beast on The Court
Dylan Harper has further cemented his spot in Rutgers basketball history after the 6-foot-6 guard was selected second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, making him the highest draft pick in program history.
Harper was long seen as the second-best prospect in the 2025 draft pool after former Duke star Cooper Flagg, who was taken first overall by the Dallas Mavericks.
His game proves how valuable he can be.
Harper lived up to expectations, setting a program record for points in a single season by a true freshman and finishing with the 20th-highest scoring average by any Scarlet Knight in a single season.
He averaged 19.4 points and 4.0 assists per game during his only season of college basketball.
Also Read: Dylan Harper’s Jaw-Dropping Mom Sent The Entire Internet Into A Frenzy During The 2025 NBA Draft
