Dylan Harper’s early report card validates what Spurs fans hoped

After already receiving Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle through the lottery in the previous two seasons, nobody expected the Spurs to once again luck into another high pick. While San Antonio missed out on the grand prize, Cooper Flagg, what they got is just as good. Rutgers alum Dylan Harper was ready to be a Spur.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Harper would be stepping into a team that didn't have a lot of room for him. Although the rookie was already warranted to earn a spot in the starting lineup, he would have to wait in the background behind De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

With that, many expected Dylan to be pretty quiet to begin the season. The result has been the exact opposite.

Dylan Harper has been a revelation for the Spurs

To the surprise of many, Harper has been more important to the Spurs than anyone could have expected. It's not an overreaction to say the Spurs wouldn't be where they are without him. Coming off the bench, the rookie has changed everything.

Before even looking at what he has done on the court, the stats tell enough. The Spurs are currently 17-3 with Dylan Harper in the lineup and have averaged 121.3 points in that span. The bouncy guard has averaged 12.2 points, 3.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and one steal per game. While impressive, these numbers don't reflect his true impact.

In the wake of losing their former backup point guard, Chris Paul, the Spurs needed someone to run the bench unit. Harper has been perfect for that role. Just like the future Hall of Famer, the rook has facilitated the offense and set the table efficiently for his teammates.

The rookie has been beyond ready for the NBA

If there was any question whether or not Harper would be ready for the speed of the NBA, those can be quickly dismissed. Since day one, the young guard has looked incredibly comfortable and unafraid to throw his body into the action. In particular, Dylan has taken on a multitude of much bigger bodies at the rim and found his way.

Following suit, Harper has shown himself to be one of the most athletic players on the team. Whether he is diving for a loose ball, flying in for a rebound, or asserting himself for a steal, he is constantly in the fight. The rookie has used his youthfulness to his advantage.

No matter how you look at it, Dylan Harper has been exceptional and is going to get even better. His growth is already becoming apparent as head coach Mitch Johnson has begun playing him in the clutch alongside the other two guards. The youngster has continued to improve every single game, and Mitch has noticed.

The upside is limitless for Harper. He has remained extremely patient in his stint on the bench and clearly has the mentality to be so humble. His time will come eventually, but it's the work he is doing now that will make him the star that he is bound to be. In the meantime, Dylan will continue to be one of the most essential pieces of the Spurs' complementary group.