Harper's mother, Maria Pizzaro, a former Division I player at the University of New Orleans, coached him in high school.
Selected second overall by the Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft, Harper averaged 11 points in the regular season and raised that to 13 points per game in the playoffs.
The Spurs reached the Finals after a 111-103 Game 7 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Harper recorded 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists in that game.
"My dream has always been to play in the Garden in the NBA Finals. I get to do that my first year," Harper said.
On the opposing side, Clarkson is seeking his first title while managing a reduced role under Knicks head coach Mike Brown.
His playing time dropped to 8.8 minutes per game during the Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"My dad will definitely be a Knicks fan this series," Clarkson said.
Clarkson, the 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, is playing the Finals in front of his father, Mike, who is battling Stage 4 carcinoma.
The 12-year veteran previously played in the 2018 NBA Finals with Cleveland and grew up watching Spurs championship parades in San Antonio.
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"Definitely feels amazing, kind of unreal, honestly, just growing up in this city," Clarkson said.
