Rookies Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant are part of the San Antonio Spurs roster, currently competing in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
Fellow rookie Kon Knueppel made his feelings clear on the two Spurs stars getting to experience the NBA Finals stage in their first year in the league.
Kon Knueppel Reveals Thoughts on Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant’s NBA Finals Run
Ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Knueppel caught up with fellow rookies Harper and Bryant and told them that the entire rookie class was jealous of them getting to compete for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in their first year in the league.
“All of us rookies are jealous of you and Carter Bryant,” Knueppel told Harper in a video released by the NBA.
“I was just telling Dylan earlier that all of us rookies are really jealous of you two,” Knueppel told Bryant.
Knueppel then asked Harper how it felt to be playing such a big role for the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Harper spoke about how surreal the whole year has been, from being drafted in June 2025 to the NBA Finals.
“It feels good. It’s been a long year. We got drafted about a year ago. I’m grateful and blessed to be here. Once in a lifetime opportunity,” Harper said.
The Charlotte Hornets star then asked Bryant about his process ahead of the big games. The 20-year-old spoke about wanting to treat every moment the same way and not taking anything for granted.
“It’s one of those things that you don’t want to take it for granted. I’m sure you did it all year. Just approaching every game the same way. Approaching every practice and workout the same way,” he said.
“All of us rookies are jealous of you and Carter.” 🥹
NBA Player Correspondent Kon Knueppel catches up with his fellow rookie classmates, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, at NBA Finals Game 5 Media Day! pic.twitter.com/Zr6z1qbBIS
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2026
Knueppel and Harper were both part of the 2025/26 NBA All-Rookie team alongside Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, V. J. Edgecombe, and Cedric Coward.
Harper has established himself as a key player for the Spurs in his rookie year, averaging 26.5 minutes and 13.6 points per game during the playoffs. He has found his groove in the NBA Finals and is averaging 16.3 points per game on 48.1% shooting from the field. The guard scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting in Game 4 as the Spurs suffered a 107-106 defeat.
Meanwhile, Bryant has also become a regular part of the Spurs’ rotation during the playoffs, averaging 2.8 points per game in 8.6 minutes on 50.0% shooting.
