Dylan Harper Talks His Upcoming Nike GT Cut 1 PE, Plus Playing with Wemby and Against His Brother

Thanks to name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, athletes are already hard at work maintaining brand relationships and securing endorsement deals before they even step foot into a professional sports facility. Dylan Harper knows all about this, as the #2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft was team Red Bull and Nike in the midst of his freshman year at Rutgers.

Dylan comes from a family with a rich basketball history. His father, Ron Harper, is a five-time NBA champion; his mother, Maria Pizarro, was a women’s college basketball star with 30 years of coaching experience under her belt; and his older brother, Ron Harper Jr., is currently playing for the Boston Celtics.

Since entering the league, Harper has made an immediate impact while playing a major role in the San Antonio Spurs’ stellar season so far. But what we’re really focused on here at Sole Retriever are sneakers, of course, and Dylan has one of the best personal logos in the game right now.

Dylan has debuted multiple Nike player-exclusive sneakers and is set to drop two of them at retail, starting with the Nike GT Cut 1 as part of the Unseen Hours Pack on March 19. Over the summer, his Nike GT Cut 4 PE that he rocked during NBA All-Star Weekend will hit shelves, and we expect more from Dylan Harper and Nike down the pike.

Even with the Spurs on a road trip and his PE sneaker dropping this week, Dylan Harper found time to speak with Sole Retriever about his endorsement deals with Red Bull and Nike, his sneaker rotation, and playing against his brother, Ron Harper Jr. Find our conversation below, which has been edited for clarity, and stay updated on the release of Harper’s Nike GT Cut 1 PE by downloading the Sole Retriever mobile app. Big thanks to the team at Red Bull for the opportunity!

Nicholas Vlahos:

Looking back, what moments in your basketball journey shaped you into the player you are today?

Dylan Harper:

I think junior year of high school was the turning point for me. Playing against the top of the best of the best and seeing that I kind of fit with them, or even better than them. It was like, “Alright, I could make something happen with this.”

NV:

Have you always dreamt of playing in the league?

DH:

The NBA has always been a dream, but it didn’t really hit me until my college season was over and I was in the pre-draft process in Santa Barbara working out. So the turning point for me was definitely junior year.

NV:

Were there any specific games or matchups where you thought, “If we can compete here, I can do this professionally”?

DH:

We played Jared McCain in the John Wall Classic my junior year, and we beat them. They were like top five or top ten in the country, and we were just a small school from New Jersey. That game was kind of like “Alright, we can compete with the best.”

Then we played Camden High School with DJ Wagner, who was number one in the country at the time. We didn’t win, but I had a pretty good game. I had like thirty-eight. After that I was like, “Alright, maybe I’m as good as I think I am.”

NV:

Coming from a basketball family, how did that shape your relationship with the game?

DH:

I’ve been around basketball since I was one. Having that structure in my family where it’s just basketball, basketball, basketball, that’s all we did and that’s all I was around. If I’m at home, I’m playing [NBA] 2K. If I’m not playing it, I’m at my brother’s game or watching my mom coach basketball. Being around it so much is really where I fell in love with the game.

NV:

Are there any early memories with your dad that stand out?

DH:

The earliest memory I can remember is fifth grade. We were playing in Fort Lauderdale and we were like 0-3. My dad took over coaching and we didn’t lose another game the rest of the tournament. I wouldn’t say it was solely because of him, but he played a big part in boosting everyone’s confidence.

NV:

How is it playing with Wemby in San Antonio?

DH:

That’s one-of-a-kind. Playing with Wemby is probably the craziest thing. At his height, the things he does are just unnatural. He takes up half the court and there’s always at least two people guarding him. When that happens, he creates opportunities for all of us. And the hard work he puts in every day that the media doesn’t see, it’s crazy.

NV:

You guys just played your brother recently, he had 22 points. What was that like seeing him do that?

DH:

I said after the game, “Am I really mad he’s scoring?” No. Watching my brother succeed at the highest level after everything he’s been through and the hard work he’s put in, how could I be mad? He’s making shots and doing what we worked on. Me and him are just living the dream.

NV:

What got you excited about working with Red Bull when you were in college?

DH:

Every kid desires to have a deal with a brand that big. When the opportunity presented itself it was a no-brainer. Growing up, you’d see all the crazy tricks and sports, dirt bikes, people jumping out of planes, and Red Bull was always behind it. That nostalgia from my childhood made it special.

NV:

Are there any athletes on the Red Bull roster you’d be excited to connect with?

DH:

I’d probably stay around my age range, guys like Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith. That kind of bridges football and basketball.

NV:

Do you have a favorite Red Bull flavor?

DH:

I’m an original guy.

NV:

When did you first start paying attention to sneakers?

DH:

I’ve loved sneakers forever. I’m not big on dressing up, so sneakers were my outfit. I was always asking my mom or dad to take me to Foot Locker or Nike so I could buy some shoes.

NV:

What was the first pair of sneakers you really wanted growing up?

DH:

I was a big Paul George fan growing up and I remember the PlayStation PGs. I kept asking my dad to get them for me and he kept saying no. Then one day there was a big brown box with two pairs, one for me and one for my brother. Those shoes really cemented my love for sneakers.

NV:

How has it been working with Nike so far?

DH:

It’s been great. Growing up I always wanted a Nike deal. That’s the brand I always wore. Being able to not only wear the shoes but also see what goes on behind the scenes when they’re making them, that’s always been my dream.

NV:

How was designing your first PE?

DH:

They did a great job of embracing my opinion on what I wanted the shoe to look like. For the Unseen Hours pair they sent a couple different versions, and when I saw the one I picked, it was a no-brainer. I think it’s the best GT Cut that’s going to come out, just because of the colorway and the meaning behind it.

NV:

What’s your favorite hoop shoe you’ve ever played in?

DH:

The GT Cut 1. They came out when I was a freshman in high school and I ran through multiple pairs. I had the EYBL pair and I had like four pairs of them because I kept ripping through them.

NV:

Have you tried the newer GT Cuts?

DH:

I actually have a PE of the GT Cut 4. Mine is rose gold. But another favorite would be the GT Cut 3, they’re really comfortable.

NV:

What do you wear off the court?

DH:

Slides mostly. But if I wear shoes, I like the Vomeros and the Travis Scott low-tops.

NV:

What’s the rarest sneaker you have right now?

DH:

I probably have some Kobes my dad got me that you can’t really touch anymore. But I’d have to get back to you, I have a lot of shoes.

NV:

How many pairs do you have?

DH:

Probably around 200 to 300. I have a room in my house that’s about half my shoes.

NV:

What goals have you set for yourself on and off the court?

DH:

On the court, just getting better every day. Watching film and improving in any way I can. For my rookie year, winning is the most important thing. Showing that I have winning traits and will do whatever it takes to win. Off the court, I just want to gain as much knowledge as possible from vets and coaches and pick people’s brains.

NV:

What parts of your game have you been focusing on improving?

DH:

Definitely defense and film study. And just being able to make shots and be efficient every night.

NV:

What would it mean to have your own signature sneaker?

DH:

That’s the only thing I’d wear all day, every day. If I’m blessed enough to be in that position, I’d try to make the best sneaker out. But more than anything, I’d just be super grateful. It wouldn’t even feel real.

NV:

What would the first Dylan Harper 1 colorway look like?

DH:

Probably black and red.

NV:

When people look back at your career, what do you hope they say about you?

DH:

That he was a winner and that he made everyone around him better on and off the court.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts, catching the latest movies, and trying new food. For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com