By Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
Maria Harper is not just a familiar face in the bleachers; she’s a determined mother who takes her
place courtside as the assistant coach of Don Bosco Preparatory High School basketball team.
She is the driving force behind her son Dylan Harper’s journey on and off the court.
Dylan, 17, a 6-foot-5 point guard for Don Bosco, scored a game-high 38 points against Christopher Columbus High School on Dec. 22 in the City of Palms Classic. He is ranked as the top point guard in the class of 2024 by ESPN, thanks in large part to his ability to seal off
defenders and his consistent approach when the ball is in his hands.
Growing up, Dylan was always around basketball. Maria, was a Division I basketball player at the University of New Orleans and has nearly three decades of coaching experience. His father, Ron Harper Sr., is a five-time NBA champion – three with the Chicago Bulls and two with the Los Angeles Lakers – who played 16 years in the NBA, and his older brother, Ron Harper Jr., currently plays for the Raptors 905 team in the NBA G League.
“When we’re not in the gym, at practice, at games, or on the road traveling, we’re home, and the
only thing that’s on our television is live sports,” Maria said. “We talk about basketball a lot.”
Maria Pizarro immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at the age of 7 and grew up in the town of Paterson, N.J. She began playing basketball as an after-school activity in fifth grade. Once Maria got to high school, she was all in, and she eventually earned a scholarship to New Orleans.
After her playing days ended, Maria was drawn to coaching. “Always being passionate about the
sports I played, I wanted to continue being involved in the game (specifically basketball) as an
adult,” Maria said. “Coaching was the natural progression for me to stay connected to the game I
love.”
Maria’s first coaching job was in Chicago, as an assistant for a high school team. She took her first head coaching position at DePaul Catholic High School, where she oversaw the girls varsity team. After taking some time off to enjoy watching her older son play in high school, she joined Kevin Diverio and the Don Bosco staff, where she has been for five years.
“Knowing that she wants the best future for not just me but for my team is the biggest part for
me,” Dylan said. “Just knowing that she’s there for all 15 of us means a lot.”
The basketball legacy established by his family has set expectations for Dylan to not only replicate their success, but also to carve out his own distinctive mark in the sport.
After winning two state titles with Don Bosco, Ron Jr. had a successful career at Rutgers before signing a two-way contract with the Raptors organization.
For Dylan, the court is a place where he seeks to transform the pressure into a driving
force for his own basketball journey, determined to honor the legacy while forging a path
uniquely his own.
“I take something away from each game, but really just doing what I have to do to win helps me
stand out the most,” Dylan said.
In early Dec., Dylan committed to Rutgers and became the highest-ranked commit in program
History. Deciding to stay in his home state and follow his brother’s footsteps invites comparison and brings pressure, but falling short of the hype is not a concern for Dylan.
“It’s definitely a blessing and an honor, because it means all the hard work is paying off,” Dylan told The Athletic this past summer. “But it doesn’t stop now. The main goal is still just getting better every day. And winning.”
Photo by Braedan Shea/The Student