“Stay grounded. Keep working. Enjoy the moment—it goes fast.” That’s what Ron Harper Sr. has told his son Dylan for as long as he can remember. On Wednesday night, as the Spurs called his name with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, that message hit harder than ever. In an instant, the dream became real—and so did the weight of living up to a legacy.

The welcome wagon didn’t take long to arrive. Spurs legend Manu Ginobili was one of the first to chime in, tweeting, “Welcome to the Spurs, Dylan Harper!! Thrilled to have him in SA!” Then came the message from the new face of the franchise, Victor Wembanyama, who posted a simple, powerful message on his Instagram story: “Welcome home.” But it was the private call, the one that happened after the draft, that said everything.

In a video posted to the Spurs’ Instagram, an undoubtedly ecstatic Harper is seen on a video call with his new superstar teammate. “Hey, I play for the Spurs, my name is Vic,” Wembanyama is heard saying. Harper, still soaking it all in, can barely contain his excitement. “I know who you is, my name is Dylan,” he says, laughing. “I think I am your teammate now. We lit man, this is going to be fun.”

And then, in an instant, the celebration turned into a mission statement. Wembanyama’s tone shifted. The fun was still there, but the message was clear. “We gon’ work for sure,” he told his new running mate. “You should celebrate tonight…. Rest a bit and then we’re going to get to work.” It was a friendly greeting, but it was also an instant reminder. The party was over. The work was just beginning.

For his part, Harper seems more than ready to embrace that challenge. When asked about joining a team already loaded with young talent like Wembanyama and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, his response was pure excitement. “When you get to play with better players and the best of the best, it just brings out your best game,” he told ESPN. He understands the expectations. He knows what it takes to win at the highest level—it’s in his blood. And as the basketball world looks on, it’s clear that the Spurs aren’t just building a team, they’re building a culture, one that is being forged in the quiet confidence of its young, hungry stars.

That “get to work” message from Victor Wembanyama wasn’t just a casual welcome. It was a mission statement, a window into the mindset of a young superstar who has spent his offseason not just recovering from a scary deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder, but completely rededicating himself to his craft.

From a monk’s mindset to a championship mission—this is Victor Wembanyama’s team now

Wemby’s phenomenal sophomore season being cut short was a stark reminder of how fragile an NBA career can be. In response, Wembanyama didn’t just rehab, he ended up going on a spiritual and physical quest. As he revealed at Fanatics Fest, “I was just in China the last two weeks practicing with the monks.” He spent ten days at the legendary Shaolin Temple, a place known for its intense discipline and focus.

He practiced Kung Fu every day. He ate a vegan diet of zucchini and rice noodles. He even shaved his head, fully immersing himself in the monk lifestyle. “My goal going there was putting my body through things that it’s not used to doing,” he explained. “It was a great experience… I’m pretty sure I’m Buddhist now.”

More than an offseason workout, it was a mental reset. For a player already being compared to the all-time greats, this kind of intense, almost mystical dedication has fans buzzing. People on social media are calling him the “21st century Kareem,” and the comparison feels fitting. Wembanyama is obviously getting stronger, but with that he’s also getting smarter, more focused, and more dangerous. And the current king of the league has taken notice. At that same Fanatics Fest panel, LeBron James joked that Wemby’s shot-blocking might just be the thing that finally pushes him into retirement. “As long as [Wemby] keeps smacking my f—– shots into the stands, he’s gonna make me retire,” LeBron quipped. It was a hilarious, respectful passing of the torch.

This new level of focus is coming at the perfect time, because the Spurs are officially his team now. With Gregg Popovich stepping down from the bench and moving into a front office role, the leadership mantle has been passed. Wembanyama admitted he was “shocked” by the move, but also inspired. “He keeps inspiring us,” he said of Popovich. “Because the way he works, he works harder than most athletes in the world.” That work ethic is now the standard in San Antonio, a standard Wemby is clearly ready to uphold.

That’s why his message to Dylan Harper was so immediate and so clear. Wembanyama knows that for this new era of Spurs basketball to succeed, he needs his new running mate to be on the same page from day one. And Harper is the perfect co-pilot for this mission. His 6’6″ frame and elite playmaking ability make him a nightmare matchup.

He can create his own shot, but more importantly, he can create for others. His ability to get downhill and collapse a defense is going to open up a world of easy looks for Wembanyama, from lobs at the rim to open jumpers on the perimeter. As Harper himself said about Wemby, “He covers the paint from arm to arm. He’s really a force out there. Can’t no one really stop him; you can only try to contain him. Just from the standpoint of being a point guard, seeing all the lobs you can throw. He can bail you out of a lot of spots. How much he impacts the game, honestly, is amazing.” It’s a symbiotic relationship waiting to happen.

So, the “welcome home” was the greeting. The “we’re going to get to work” was the expectation. The celebration is over. The mission has begun.