ESPN senior NBA writer Brian Windhorst made a pitch urging Dylan Harper to consider the possibility of playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the future.
The 48-year-old Windhorst sees the sky is the limit for the Fil-American guard following a remarkable rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs.
And considering the fanbase that Harper has built in basketball-crazy Philippines, the award-winning American sportswriter suggests it would definitely be a big boost to the Gilas program if the son of former NBA player Ron Harper will be able to one day wear the national team jersey.
Harper’s mother Maria Pizarro is from Bataan. Maria's father Manuel Pizarro once represented the Philippines in the 1968 Olympics in Rome as part of the Philippine contingent for basque pelota, a demonstration sport.
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“I have to assume that the Filipinos are wholeheartedly on the bandwagon of Dylan Harper in San Antonio because he’s half-Filipino,” said Windhorst in the live shoot of the Hoop Collective podcast World Tour presented by Disney+ Philippines with Tim MacMahon at the Shoot 360 Basketball in Robinson’s Galleria.
“Dylan, consider playing for your national team in the Philippines. It would be great for world basketball,” added the American, nicknamed Windy, who began his sportswriting career with the Akon Beacon Journal as beat writer for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Windhorst even noted the recent new tattoo of Harper in his arm showing the Three Stars and the Sun, a prominent part and design of the Philippine flag.
“He has the (Philippine) flag on his arm. He’s got it on his arm and truly wears it on his sleeve,” he said.
NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag, was the special guest in the Manila edition of the popular podcast and was asked about the 20-year-old Harper playing for the Philippine team someday.
“I’m sure the country would love to have Dylan Harper here at home and represent the national team,” said Alapag, the former players development coach of Sacramento Kings about him trying to recruit last season’s No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft for Gilas.
“Hopefully, down the road that would be open for him and a chance to come here in the Philippines and play.”
But the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas previously said Dylan and his brother Ron Harper Jr. can’t play as local players for the national team as they failed to obtain their Filipino passports before they turned 16 years old.
The Harpers can represent the Philippines though, as naturalized players.
Nonetheless, both Windhorst and MacMahon see a bright NBA future for Dylan moving forward.
“This is going to be potentially a big future for Dylan Harper,” said Windhorst.
Added MacMahon, “This is absolutely going to be a big future. He’s the No. 2 overall pick, the guy was their (Spurs) second best player in the (NBA) finals.
“They didn’t win the finals, but they had a 10-point lead in all five games. And he’s 20 years old and excelling on that stage. Dylan Harper has superstar written all over him.”
The Spurs lost to the New York Knicks in the last NBA Finals in five games.
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