Dylan Harper’s Injury and Recovery
Dylan Harper, the highly anticipated second overall selection in June’s NBA Draft, faces an unexpected hurdle as he embarks on his professional basketball journey. The San Antonio Spurs announced that the promising rookie underwent surgery on Friday to address a partial tear in the collateral ligament of his left thumb. Recovery from this procedure is expected to sideline him for the entire training camp and potentially delay his season debut until approximately late October, as indicated by the injury data specialist Jeff Stotts from In Street Clothes.
Details of the Injury
The injury, specifically impacting the ulnar collateral ligament, is commonly seen and typically requires an average healing period of about 54 days post-surgery. Harper, the son of former NBA star Ron Harper who clinched five championship titles, showcased significant talent during his last college season at Rutgers, where he averaged 19.9 points per game.
Draft and Summer League Performance
Drafted by the Spurs ahead of talents like VJ Edgecombe and just after Cooper Flagg, Harper has already exhibited his potential, despite dealing with a groin injury that initially kept him from participating in the NBA Summer League. Once cleared to play, he impressed observers with his athleticism, entering the highlight reel with notable defensive plays and offensive maneuvers.
In Las Vegas, Harper had a solid summer showing, averaging 16 points per contest while demonstrating his ability to control tempo and scoring with finesse, though he converted his shots at a 35.7% clip, indicating room for improvement.
Spurs’ Backcourt Depth
With Harper’s recovery underway, the Spurs are well-equipped to handle the backcourt responsibilities with established players like De’Aaron Fox and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Stephon Castle, leading the charge until Harper is ready to contribute.
