The rookie who seems least like a rookie, this second overall pick is incredibly steady.

I haven’t covered Harper among the top three picks this year because he’s a bit dull. The number one pick, Flagg, shines with the aura of a chosen one; the third pick, VJ, is a determined island boy who fought through hardship. Harper’s main pre-draft story was his father, Ron Harper, who won titles with the Bulls.

Harper is indeed impressive, recognized as the strongest guard in this draft class. In college, he was already a very mature pick-and-roll player, steady in organizing offense with excellent vision, while also maintaining solid scoring ability. Yet, his low-key nature on and off the court makes him easy to overlook. This quiet demeanor made him a perfect fit for the Spurs’ selection.

In two Summer League games, Harper averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3.5 turnovers, shooting 35.7% from the field and 12.5% from three. He then suffered a groin injury, and the Spurs wisely chose not to let him play through it.

Although his offensive efficiency was surprisingly low, Harper’s scoring ability was confirmed. The Spurs aren’t worried about his offensive efficiency; rather, his strong defensive performance has been a pleasant surprise.

In September, Harper underwent minor surgery for a partial tear in his left thumb ligament, missing the first two preseason games. However, in his preseason debut, he immediately showed that this second pick is far from overrated—he was incredibly composed on the court.

In his preseason debut, Harper came off the bench for 18 minutes, efficiently scoring 9 points with 3 assists and a +20 plus-minus, the highest on the team. Pre-draft scouting reports said Harper likes to have the ball but can sometimes be too ball-dominant. Yet his first preseason score was a cut to the basket, plus a catch-and-shoot midrange jumper on the move. The idea that he can’t play off-ball only exists in scouting reports.

Of course, Harper is proving that giving him the ball unleashes his full potential. Before the first quarter ended, just past half court, he spotted the quickly sprinting Wembanyama heading to the basket. The alley-oop across half court came immediately, and Wembanyama finished with a dunk and an and-one.

Interestingly, at the moment Harper released the pass, he thought it was too high, but when Wembanyama caught it, Harper realized the pass was actually a bit low. After the game, Harper said, “I should have thrown it a bit higher. I’ve never played with such a tall player before, so I need to adjust my thinking.”

Besides the alley-oop to Wembanyama, Harper also delivered a pick-and-roll assist to Cornette on a curl cut, showing his maturity in pick-and-roll offense. With 3 assists and no turnovers, it was a solid debut for Harper. In the second preseason game, he revealed the potential shape of a future All-Star point guard.

Harper played 22 minutes, shooting 4-for-8, including 1-for-1 from three, tallying 11 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 turnovers. His first-step quickness is outstanding, and his strong core allows him to finish well in the air during contact. His ability to drive and finish at the rim has become one of his key weapons in the NBA.

Because of his excellent driving skills, Harper often draws double teams during pick-and-rolls. At that moment, his passing becomes extremely dangerous—he can find Cornette curling to the basket or spot up shooters in the corners. His pick-and-roll game is very steady and patient, carefully reading every offensive opportunity while maintaining firm ball control. His ball-handling and decision-making don’t resemble those of a typical rookie.

It can be said that Harper is by far the least rookie-like rookie so far, showing a maturity well beyond his peers, including Flagg. After two preseason games, you can confidently say Harper is currently the Spurs’ best pure point guard.

This assessment is partly because Fox is more of a scoring guard who relies on driving, and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Castle, is a combo guard leaning toward shooting guard and can even play small forward.

In theory, Harper currently ranks behind these two in the team’s rotation and has played as a substitute in these two games. However, early in the new season, the Spurs will face Fox’s absence due to a hamstring injury, causing him to miss some early games.

At that time, we might see Harper starting at the point guard position for the Spurs. If you watch just a few minutes of Harper running pick-and-roll with the ball, you’ll definitely appreciate this steady 19-year-old point guard. He displays many qualities of an excellent floor general.

Of course, Harper’s biggest current issue remains his shooting consistency. If he can develop a reliable shot in his first two seasons, combined with his driving and playmaking skills, he will quickly emerge as a prominent player in the league.

Harper’s presence finally allows the Spurs to run pick-and-roll as a primary offensive weapon, which can ease the offensive burden on Wembanyama and reduce his turnovers. Wembanyama’s finishing ability is unquestioned, and Harper’s addition will definitely make Wembanyama’s game more comfortable and elevate his level.

The Spurs have won Rookie of the Year honors two years in a row, yet Harper, the second overall pick, did not receive a single vote for Rookie of the Year. It’s okay; Harper will eventually prove why he was the second pick and why he is regarded as the top guard in this draft class.