Latest news with #Harper
Belfast Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Dan Harper on why this could be his year at the ‘big one' after years of bad luck
The Hillsborough driver is making his fourth start at the twice-around-the-clock race with his regular German co-driver Max Hesse, and one-off team-mate, Austrian Philipp Eng. There is a real sense that this could finally be Harper's year as he has had to endure bitter disappointment on his three previous visits. Back in 2022, his silverware hunt was banished by a puncture, with the same fate befalling him last year, while in 2023, the car Harper was sharing had to be retired after it got caught up in an incident during the night. Only last Sunday, Harper and Hesse scored a first GTD Pro victory in the America IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the Six Hours of Watkins Glen International in New York State. A day earlier, Rowe Racing triumphed at the Nürburgring 24 Hours to take BMW's total victory count around the famous 'Green Hell', in Germany, to 21 from all starts. Eng, meanwhile, has an enviable Spa record and is one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the Ardennes classic having won there three times, twice with Rowe Racing. 'I'm looking forward to the big one this weekend,' said Harper, who is being reunited with Rowe Racing for the first time since the World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup title decider in Saudi Arabia last December. 'We have had some bad luck at Spa these the last few years; on every occasion, we have been in contention for a podium, including 2024 we were fighting for the victory right up until the end only for a puncture before the last pit stop to deny us. 'We are competitive there which is encouraging, the BMW has been very strong there, and Rowe Racing are a fantastic and well-organised team who do very well in the longer endurance races, as they demonstrated at the Nürburgring last weekend with their win. 'Everyone in the team is naturally in good spirits, and myself and Max arrive at Spa on the back of our first win in IMSA, so yeah, I am really looking forward to it,' continued the 24-year-old. 'Having Philipp onboard is a boost, too. He has a great record a Spa with three victories, most recently in 2023, so I'm very excited to be sharing the car with him for the first time.' A 75-car field featuring machinery from 10 manufacturers such as Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini and Porsche will line up for the 77th instalment of the 24 Hours of Spa, which begins on Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm UK time.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How many Big Ten basketball players were selected in the 2025 NBA Draft?
A total of 10 Big Ten basketball players were selected in the first and second rounds of the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday and Thursday. Headlined by Rutgers guard Dylan Harper, the Big Ten witnessed eight of its players selected in the first round -- a new conference record. Harper, who averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 32.6 minutes per game for the Scarlet Knights, was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 2 overall pick on Wednesday. His teammate, 6-foot-10 guard/forward Ace Bailey, went No. 5 to the Utah Jazz just minutes later. While both players were projected to land within the draft's lottery, the conference also produced six more high-profile draftees before the beginning of the second round on Thursday. Most notably, the New Orleans Pelicans traded an unprotected first-round pick from the 2026 NBA draft to the Atlanta Hawks for an opportunity to select Maryland big man Derik Queen, the 2024-25 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. New Orleans' decision to shop the pick, which could morph into a No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3 overall selection, epitomizes the franchise's confidence in the 20-year-old. The Miami Heat went on to select Illinois' do-it-all combo guard Kasparas Jakučionis at No. 20, followed by Utah's selection of Fighting Illini center Will Riley at No. 21 and the Orlando Magic's pick of Michigan State guard Jase Richardson at No. 25. The Brooklyn Nets then snagged Michigan big Danny Wolf at No. 27, before the Los Angeles Clippers claimed Penn State center Yanic Konan Niederhauser at No. 30 to round out the first round. While the second round did not produce nearly as many Big Ten talents as the first, the most notable selection of the two-day event for Badger fans arrived late in the second round. After the Thunder selected Northwestern guard Brooks Barnizer at No. 44, Badger star John Tonje heard his name called by the Jazz at No. 53. With the pick, Tonje became the first Badger drafted since Johnny Davis went No. 10 overall to the Washington Wizards in 2022, plus second since Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker were picked in the first round of the 2015 draft. Tonje projects to suit up alongside fellow Big Ten alumnus Bailey during the 2025-26 campaign in Salt Lake City. He'll need to earn his minutes on a competitive second unit. Harper, Bailey, Queen, Richardson and Wolf will likely play a considerable number of minutes for their franchises, while Jakučionis, Niederhauser, Tonje, Barnhizer and Riley will look to earn opportunities. Nonetheless, the 2025 bunch symbolizes the sheer depth in talent across a loaded 18-team conference. The 2026 draft projects to produce another 10 Big Ten representatives, including Badgers center Nolan Winter. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs' Dylan Harper a roller-coaster ride of emotions after going No. 2
The post Spurs' Dylan Harper a roller-coaster ride of emotions after going No. 2 appeared first on ClutchPoints. San Antonio Spurs' newest guard, Dylan Harper, was emotional after being selected as the No. 2 overall pick at the 2025 NBA Draft. The Spurs added to their exciting backcourt the 19-year-old who projects to be an absolute star at the next level. Dylan, the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, has succeeded everywhere he's been. In one season at Rutgers, the Franklin Lakes, New Jersey native averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on an efficient 48% from the field. Advertisement Harper was subsequently a third-team All-Big Ten selection, showcasing his talent on a weekly basis in one of the best conferences in the country. At 6 foot 6, 215 pounds, the young guard was fired up about joining his new team. In an interview with ESPN's Monica McNutt, Harper detailed his excitement. 'I'm feeling everything. All the emotions mixed in one bucket, from crying, to laughing, to being happy. I'm excited to get ready, I'm excited…I think when you play with a bunch of great players, it just brings the best out of you. They got a great young core over there, and I'm just ready to get in there and make an impact any way I can with those guys.' Harper joins a team looking to take a huge step up in the Western Conference hierarchy during the 2025-26 season. Victor Wembanyama should at least be a top 10 player in the world this coming season, and he already has an All-Star-caliber point guard beside him in De'Aaron Fox. Next to those two is 2024-25 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, who has the potential to be an elite wing in this league. Several other solid role players are on this roster, like Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Jeremy Sochan, so Harper isn't guaranteed to start immediately. But looking ahead, it'll be interesting how the 19-year-old fits in a potential backcourt with Fox, who presumably will have the ball in his hands most of the time when it isn't in Wembanyama's. Harper has shown the potential to play off-ball before, but that wasn't his role in college. Advertisement Overall, the Spurs took the most talented player available, which is the right move for this franchise. Harper has the potential to be a cornerstone player for over a decade in San Antonio alongside Wembanyama, especially since he was considered the best pick-and-roll prospect going into Wednesday night. Should the Spurs continue their tradition of developing elite talent, they should have a championship-contending squad sooner rather than later. It's playoffs or bust for this franchise next season. Related: Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant Related: Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The unique way Dylan Harper can meet high expectations with Spurs
The post The unique way Dylan Harper can meet high expectations with Spurs appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the second overall selection of the NBA Draft, Dylan Harper joins a San Antonio Spurs team that boasts the last two Rookie of the Year winners. Advertisement The pressure is on, yes, it is, but not in the way you might think. For several reasons, the odds are against Harper netting the Spurs another ROY winner. What would determine whether Harper meets high expectations is what the Silver and Black do in his first year. It'll be tough for Dylan Harper to win Rookie of the Year No NBA team has ever featured three consecutive ROY winners. Last season, the Spurs became the third team in league history to draft and keep back-to-back Rookies of the Year when Stephon Castle captured the trophy off the heels of Victor Wembanyama's historic campaign. They matched Minnesota Timberwolves rookies Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns in 2014-2015 and Buffalo Braves teammates Bob McAdoo and Ernie DiGregorio in 1972-73. A Harper Rookie of the Year win would prove unprecedented. Advertisement Regarding the ROY race, though, more important is the presence of Cooper Flagg. If Harper was the second-best prospect in this draft – and he was – then Flagg was the top prospect in the field. He's the odds-on favorite to win the award. Specifically, Flagg will be aided by the reality that he'll have a chance to put up big numbers. Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving will miss much, if not most, of next season, and Anthony Davis is injury-prone, so the former Duke Blue Devil is going to have the ball in his hands plenty. Conversely, Harper joins a team that features veteran ball-handler De'Aaron Fox, a generational superstar in Wembanyama, and the reigning Rookie of the Year in Castle. © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Dylan Harper's true measure of meeting Spurs expectations Because Harper joins two players who've made All-Star games – Wemanayama this past season, Fox in 2023 – and the most recent ROY, the Spurs fully expect to contend for a postseason spot. They were in contention last year until Wemby went out with an injury. After winning 22 games the season before, San Antonio improved by 12 wins, despite missing not only Wemabanyana since February, but Fox as well for the final month. Advertisement The Spurs spent the weeks prior to the draft somewhat engaged in talks to acquire future Hall-of-Famer Kevin Durant. Reports indicate the Phoenix Suns wanted either the second overall pick or Castle in a trade for KD. From the start of any negotiations, the Spurs made both off-limits. Stands to reason for Castle because of what he just did in his first taste of the NBA. That Harper was untouchable tells you what GM Brian Wright and company think of the former Rutgers Scarlett Knight. If Harper plays a big role in helping the Spurs improve by another 12 wins or so and into the playoffs, he'd put the franchise ahead of schedule. If Durant was supposed to mean 'win now,' the 19-year-old from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, was supposed to represent the future. If Harper checks both boxes, he would've accomplished far more than any personal hardware. Related: Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant Related: Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick
The post Victor Wembanyama calls Dylan Harper after Spurs' No. 2 pick appeared first on ClutchPoints. The San Antonio Spurs added guard help next to Victor Wembanyama in the NBA Draft. Last season's top overall pick himself surprised Dylan Harper with a phone call. Advertisement The Rutgers basketball star landed No. 2 overall behind Cooper Flagg in Wednesday's first round. Harper made his rounds in shaking hands and hugging others before posing with NBA commissioner Adam Silver. But Harper received a life-changing phone call after meeting with Silver. He went viral for having this surprise conversation with 'Wemby.' Both men acknowledged they're going to have fun together. But a lot of work is ahead. Wembanyama also encouraged that Harper should celebrate his draft movement on Wednesday night. But again, suggested to get lots of rest before they hit the ground running together. Dylan Harper, Victor Wembanyama fueling new Spurs era Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images San Antonio is known for putting together stellar duos. Advertisement George Gervin and Larry Kenon were an iconic pairing. Same with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili — as the duo won NBA titles together. Tim Duncan and David Robinson rose as one more dynamic pairing for the franchise during the late 1990s, including winning the franchise's first NBA title together in 1999. Now 'Wemby' has his potential running mate in the highly anticipated rookie. The franchise also brings Stephon Castle into the fold as a past NBA Rookie of the Year winner. But Harper brings his own flair for dynamics on the floor. Harper is fresh off averaging 19.4 points per game for what became a loaded Scarlet Knights team featuring multiple first round talents. Ace Bailey (Utah Jazz) landed at No. 5 to the Utah Jazz. Harper enters S.A. hearing renewed hype and enthusiasm for Spurs basketball. The newest member of the Spurs will also carry high expectations. He adds a new and needed scoring guard. Advertisement He's also part of an era that will pivot out of the Gregg Popovich era. The legendary head coach is taking on the president role of the Spurs. Mitch Johnson is now succeeding the five-time NBA title winner. And Johnson will coach intriguing new talent that now includes the Rutgers sharpshooter. Related: Dylan Harper's mom goes viral at 2025 NBA Draft after Spurs selection Related: Why Spurs strike NBA Draft gold again with Carter Bryant
