Dylan Harper’s mother, Maria Harper, is no stranger to the NBA community. She first came to the limelight as the wife of five-time NBA champion, Ron Harper, and then as the mother of the Detroit Pistons’ small forward, Ron Harper Jr. This time, she’s making headlines for stealing the spotlight at the 2025 NBA Draft, where 19-year-old Dylan emerged as the second overall pick.
Selecting Dylan Harper as the second overall pick, the Scarlet Knights alum begins his professional career on a high note with the San Antonio Spurs. It’s a big moment that consolidates the Harper family’s basketball legacy, and for Maria, who went viral on draft night for her good looks and yearlong commitment to Dylan’s rise.
Maria Harper Is Originally from Bataan, Philippines
Dylan Harper’s mother was only 7 years old in 1982 when her family relocated to the United States from Bataan, Philippines. Raised alongside three older sisters, she fell in love with sports at a young age. She spent most of her after-school hours at the local parks, playing with older boys.
“…That’s how you get better,” Maria told The Athletic. “It was kind of fun beating up on old men at the parks,” she added. Choosing to focus on basketball during high school, Maria Harper eventually bagged for herself a scholarship to the University of New Orleans, where she played Division I basketball from 1993 to 1996.
She’s Been a Basketball Coach for Three Decades
Maria Harper didn’t play professional basketball, but she has been a coach for many years. Dylan Harper confirmed this in a press conference after he was drafted to play in the NBA. “She means the world to me,” he said, “She’s been coaching me from like first grade all the way to senior year of high school. For her to see this moment and just to be there for my journey and see all the good and all the bad, it probably means the world to her just as much as me.”
After college basketball, Dylan Harper’s mother took up her first job as an assistant coach in Chicago. Thereafter, she became the head coach of the girls’ varsity team at Wayne, New Jersey’s DePaul Catholic High School. She took a break from her career for the sake of her kids, but resumed coaching in 2019 as the assistant coach of the boys’ basketball team at Ramsey’s Don Bosco Prep, also in New Jersey.
Maria Harper Is a Mother of Three
Maria Harper’s marriage to five-time NBA champion Ron Harper lasted for over six years. The former couple reportedly met sometime in 1998 and began dating shortly after. Barely two years in, their first child was on the way. Maria gave birth to Ron Harper Jr. on April 12, 2000.
Years into the relationship, Maria and Ron officially became a married couple. This was on 2005’s New Year’s Eve. They welcomed Dylan the following year on March 2, 2006. Maria gave birth to their youngest child, a daughter named Mia Harper, in 2010. Unfortunately, Maria and Ron parted ways two years later.
Check out: Ketel Marte Crying During Game as a Fan Turns His Tragedy Into Taunts
Discussion about this post