The Spurs two major lottery players debut! Harper plays for the Best Rookie Award and sees Duncan Popomanu in his first training session

On June 29, the Spurs' two major lottery shows were officially unveiled and were interviewed by the media. The second-tier Harper boldly said he wanted to be the best rookie, continuing the Spurs' tradition (the best rookie in the past two years belonged to the Spurs). Carter Bryant, the No. 14 pick, also expressed his excitement of joining the Spurs.

Speaking of the Spurs missing the playoffs for six consecutive years, Harper said: "This situation will change soon, and we will make it to the playoffs. I think for Spurs fans and others, our team is very exciting and there is a lot to look forward to. The potential of our group is unlimited."

Harper will wear the Spurs No. 2 jersey - the last player to wear this number at the Spurs is former Spurs Finals MVP Leonard. He is also confident in his prospects to help the team create NBA history. The Spurs have selected NBA Rookie of the Year Wenban Yama and Castle in the past two years. In NBA history, no team has been able to produce the award winner for three consecutive years.

"I don't feel any pressure (for the best rookie), but of course I want to continue this tradition," Harper said. "This is definitely one of my goals. Perhaps my biggest goal is to make progress every day, be down-to-earth, step by step, and learn from everyone as much as possible."

Just two days after the Spurs selected him, Harper ran into three NBA knowledge sources full of championships in his first training session in San Antonio. "I was training and suddenly I saw Tim Duncan, Greg Popovich and Manu Ginobili," Harper said. "It's not visible to any other team. From childhood to adulthood, it's one of the teams you want to play for the most. Seeing their dynasty, you want to continue to add bricks to those championship flags and add a few more sides."

Teammate Carter Bryant, who was selected at the 14th pick in the first round, is expected to help. The sporty 3D forward from the University of Arizona has known Harper since his sophomore in high school against the EYBL Tour. It is worth mentioning that Bryant's uncle DeSein worked as an assistant coach at Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, and coached Leonard's high school basketball career.

"I don't know much about this city, but the Spurs ran through my childhood," said Bryant. "When I was a big fan of Leonard and I also like Tim Duncan. He was my uncle's favorite player. I loved basketball since I was a child, so everyone knew Tony Parker, Manu, David Robinson and others. Seeing their dynasty as a child, somehow laid the foundation for my basketball path afterwards. There were many great teams later, but they were the starting point. It felt great to be selected by them and continue to inherit the glory created by their predecessors."

Harper and Bryant will make their debut in the California Summer League on July 6, against the Heat in San Francisco. Harper has set a goal: "To win every game we play." Despite his confidence, general manager Brian Wright praised the former Rutgers star's humility.

"I feel that my confidence comes from all the efforts I have done," Harper said. "I feel like I am one of the hardest people [in the league], and I know how much I have paid. But you still have to be humble because getting everything can be quick, losing everything can be quick."