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Spurs' Dylan Harper Admires Pistons' Cade Cunningham
The No. 2 overall pick always tuned in to see another big guard with an all-around game.
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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San Antonio Spurs rookie guard Dylan Harper has expressed his admiration for Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who he considers his favorite player. Harper, the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has been compared to Cunningham for their similar playing styles as big, versatile guards. Despite their teams facing off twice this season, both players have struggled offensively in those matchups so far.
Why it matters
The emergence of bigger, traditional guards who can handle the ball, make decisions, and be versatile offensive hubs is a growing trend in the NBA. Harper and Cunningham represent this new breed of guard, and their matchups provide an interesting comparison of two of the league's top young talents.
The details
In their first meeting on February 23, Cunningham scored just 16 points on 5-of-26 shooting, well below his season average, while being smothered by the defense of Spurs guard Stephon Castle. Harper also had a sub-par game offensively, finishing with 5 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes off the bench. Despite the lackluster individual performances, the Spurs beat the Pistons 114-103.
- On February 23, the Spurs beat the Pistons 114-103.
- On March 5, the Spurs and Pistons faced off again.
The players
Dylan Harper
A 20-year-old rookie guard for the San Antonio Spurs, selected 2nd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft after one season at Rutgers.
Cade Cunningham
A 24-year-old All-Star guard for the Detroit Pistons, selected 1st overall in the 2021 NBA Draft after one season at Oklahoma State.
Mitch Johnson
The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.
Victor Wembanyama
A teammate of Dylan Harper on the San Antonio Spurs.
Stephon Castle
A guard for the San Antonio Spurs who defended Cade Cunningham.
What they’re saying
“I've watched you all my life, since like eighth grade. I can say, since I've got no ego, you have been my favorite player.”
— Dylan Harper, Spurs Rookie Guard (expressnews.com)
“That's crazy, bro. That's love, though.”
— Cade Cunningham (expressnews.com)
“Dylan's got good taste.”
— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach (expressnews.com)
“I have zero doubt that if there was a re-draft today, we would take him. He's so good, so composed. I know obviously we are so stacked at the guard position. But I'm so happy Dylan is super young and can be there for years and years. I want to be on the court with him for as long as possible.”
— Victor Wembanyama, Spurs Teammate (expressnews.com)
“I'm not comparing myself to anyone, just kind of running my own race. We are all in different situations, and I am blessed to be in this one.”
— Dylan Harper, Spurs Rookie Guard (expressnews.com)
What’s next
The Spurs and Pistons will face off again on March 5, providing another opportunity for Harper and Cunningham to go head-to-head.
The takeaway
The matchup between rising stars Dylan Harper and Cade Cunningham highlights the growing trend of versatile, big-bodied guards in the NBA. While both players have struggled against each other so far, their admiration and similarities in playing style suggest a budding rivalry between two of the league's most promising young talents.
