The Barclays Center had no shortage of eye-catching moments during the 2025 NBA Draft, but one family member managed to steal the spotlight in a way few expected.
As Dylan Harper heard his name called as the No. 2 overall pick, it wasn’t just the Rutgers star drawing attention; it was his mother, Maria Harper, who lit up social media with her unforgettable appearance.
Dressed in a sleek black dress and wearing a proud smile, Maria stood beside her son in one of the biggest moments of his life. As Dylan walked across the stage to shake NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s hand, Maria’s embrace quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about scenes.
In an instant, she wasn’t just the mother of a top draft pick, she was a trending topic.
A Coach, A Mother, A Viral Sensation
Maria Harper isn’t new to the world of high-level basketball. Long before Dylan dominated college hoops, she was courtside in a different way. As his high school coach at Don Bosco Prep, she helped mold him into one of the nation’s top players. In a 2023 feature by Jersey Sports Zone, Maria’s impact was clear. “
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You can look directly to his mom,” the outlet wrote while reflecting on Dylan’s rise. “She coached Dylan through high school and watched every step he evolved into one of the best players in the country.”
Dylan Harper is selected 2nd overall by the @spurs in the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2025
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/myiSSVj3PT
That story resurfaced online Wednesday night as fans began digging deeper into the woman who turned heads during ESPN’s live coverage. While some were struck by her presence and style, others praised her role in Dylan’s development and the sacrifices that came with it.
Maria showed her emotions after Dylan got drafted, saying, “It’s surreal. The NBA is very, very exclusive club.”
Per ESPNW, Dylan Harper’s Mom and her thoughts on him being drafted pic.twitter.com/d1M6GeVvV4
— BigRichMagic (@BigRichMagic) June 26, 2025
Dylan Harper, the five-star freshman who spent one season at Rutgers, now heads to San Antonio to team up with Victor Wembanyama and a Spurs squad looking to reload with young talent. Rutgers may have missed the NCAA Tournament this year, but both Harper and fellow freshman Ace Bailey remain among the most anticipated prospects in their class.
As the NBA world turns its eyes to the next chapter of Harper’s career, it’s clear his support system will be right there with him. And after Wednesday night, so will the rest of the internet.
