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Ron Harper Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ron Harper Jr.
Harper with Rutgers in 2020
No. 24 – Maine Celtics
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (2000-04-12) April 12, 2000 (age 24)
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High schoolDon Bosco Prep
(Ramsey, New Jersey)
CollegeRutgers (2018–2022)
NBA draft2022: undrafted
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023Toronto Raptors
2022–2023→Raptors 905
2024–presentMaine Celtics
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Ronald Harper Jr. (born April 12, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference. He is the son of former NBA player Ron Harper.

Early life

[edit]

Harper was born in Paterson, New Jersey, while his father, Ron Harper, was playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He grew up playing basketball under the coaching of his mother, Maria.[1] On the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, Harper competed for Ring City Basketball, a program owned by his parents.[2] Raised in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey & Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, he attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey.[3] As a junior, Harper averaged 10.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range.[4] He helped his team win its first Non-Public A state title in 47 years.[5] In his senior season, he averaged 20.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, leading his team to its second straight Non-Public A state championship.[6] He scored a career-high 33 points in a loss to Roselle Catholic High School at the Tournament of Champions final. Harper was named North Jersey Player of the Year by The Record.[7] He was considered a four-star recruit by Rivals but his only Power Five scholarship offers were from Nebraska and Rutgers.[8] On August 11, 2017, he committed to play college basketball for Rutgers.[4]

College career

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In his collegiate debut against Fairleigh Dickinson, he posted 15 points.[8] On March 2, 2019, Harper scored a freshman season-high 27 points for Rutgers in an 86–72 win over Iowa.[9] As a freshman, he averaged 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. In the offseason, Harper improved his strength and conditioning, gaining 15 lbs (6.8 kg).[8] During his sophomore season, he became a regular starter.[10] On January 22, 2020, Harper recorded a season-high 29 points and nine rebounds in an 85–80 loss to Iowa.[11] On February 25, he scored 27 points, shooting 5-of-5 from three-point range, in a 72–57 victory over Illinois.[12] As a sophomore, he averaged 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and was named to the Second Team All-Met.[10] On November 27, Harper scored a career-high 30 points with five-three pointers in a 96–75 win over Fairleigh Dickinson. As a junior, Harper helped lead Rutgers to their first NCAA Tournament in 30 years.[13] He averaged 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Following the season, Harper declared for the 2021 NBA draft, but ultimately opted to return to Rutgers.[14]

On December 9, 2021, Harper tied his career high of 30 points to go with 10 rebounds against Purdue. He made the game-winning buzzer-beater from just inside halfcourt to give the Scarlet Knights a 70–68 win, giving Rutgers its first victory over a No. 1 ranked team.[15] Harper was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten.[16]

Following Rutgers' loss in the First Four of the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Harper announced his intention to forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2022 NBA draft.[17] He ultimately went undrafted.[18]

Professional career

[edit]

Toronto Raptors (2022–2023)

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On July 14, 2022, after being undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Harper signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors.[19] He made his debut on the court against the Atlanta Hawks. Bobby Webster noted that Wayne Embry (the Raptors' senior basketball advisor) was involved in both signing Ron Harper Jr. and drafting his father (Ron Harper).[20][21][22]

On July 22, 2023, Harper signed another two-way contract with the Raptors.[23] On December 8, he was waived by the Raptors.[24][25]

Maine Celtics (2024–present)

[edit]

After joining them for the 2024 NBA Summer League,[26] Harper signed with the Boston Celtics on July 14, 2024,[27] but was waived on October 17.[28] On October 26, he joined the Maine Celtics.[29]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2022–23 Toronto 9 0 5.3 .500 .333 1.000 .8 .4 .0 .1 2.2
2023–24 Toronto 1 0 3.7 – – – .0 1.0 .0 .0 .0
Career 10 0 5.1 .500 .333 1.000 .7 .5 .0 .1 2.0

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Rutgers 31 19 22.3 .413 .278 .679 3.1 1.1 .6 .5 7.8
2019–20 Rutgers 31 31 28.1 .452 .349 .708 5.8 1.0 .8 .8 12.1
2020–21 Rutgers 27 27 32.0 .441 .310 .736 5.9 1.6 .7 .6 14.9
2021–22 Rutgers 32 32 34.3 .442 .398 .795 5.9 1.9 1.0 .6 15.8
Career 121 109 29.1 .439 .340 .741 5.1 1.4 .8 .6 12.6

Personal life

[edit]

His father, Ron Harper, was an All-American college basketball player at Miami (Ohio) and played in the NBA for 15 seasons, winning five NBA titles.[30][31] His mother, Maria (née Pizarro), is from Bataan, Philippines and played college basketball for New Orleans, before becoming a coach.[3][2] Harper's maternal grandfather represented the Philippines in jai alai at the 1968 Summer Olympics.[32]

References

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  1. ^ Flojo, Enzo (May 10, 2020). "Son of a Bull". Daily Tribune. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Rising Fil-Am hoop star is from family of cagers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 13, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Cooper, Darren (March 14, 2017). "What's in a name, if it's Harper?". The Record. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Carino, Jerry (August 11, 2017). "Rutgers basketball: Don Bosco wing Ron Harper Jr., son of NBA champ, commits". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  5. ^ Sargeant, Keith (August 12, 2017). "Ron Harper Jr. of Don Bosco, son of NBA champion, commits to Rutgers basketball". NJ.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  6. ^ Cordova, David (April 24, 2018). "Ron Harper, Jr: Rutgers Recruit Is One of New Jersey's Most Versatile Players". Dave's Joint. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Mattura, Greg (December 10, 2019). "North Jersey's All-Decade Boys Basketball Team". The Record. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Tsakonas, Chris (December 2, 2019). "Harper Jr. poised for success in 2nd year with program". The Daily Targum. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  9. ^ "Ron Harper Jr. Scores 27, Rutgers Rolls No. 22 Iowa 86–72". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. March 2, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Ron Harper Jr.: Hometown Hero". Rutgers University Athletics. June 11, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  11. ^ Lewis, Ray; Valdez, Josh (January 23, 2020). "Rutgers falls to Iowa in close road defeat". The Daily Targum. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  12. ^ Carino, Jerry (February 15, 2020). "Rutgers basketball: Ron Harper Jr. explosion leads romp of 22nd-ranked Illinois". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Kratch, James (November 27, 2020). "Ron Harper Jr. has career night as Rutgers routs Fairleigh Dickinson". NJ.com. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Deren, Bobby (July 7, 2021). "Ron Harper Jr. withdraws from NBA Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Kosko, Nick (December 9, 2021). "Rutgers upsets No. 1 Purdue 70–68 on Ron Harper Jr.'s half-court buzzer beater". 247 Sports. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "2021–22 Big Ten Men's Basketball Postseason Honors Announced". BigTen.org (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 8, 2022. Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  17. ^ Givony, Jonathan (March 23, 2022). "Rutgers' Ron Harper Jr., a projected second-round pick, to declare for NBA draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  18. ^ Fonseca, Brian (June 24, 2022). "How Ron Harper Jr., ex-Rutgers teammates reacted to him going undrafted". NJ.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "RAPTORS SIGN HARPER JR". NBA.com. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "Bobby Webster reveals how long the Raptors have been scouting Christian Koloko". Yahoo Sports Canada. June 23, 2022. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  21. ^ Luciano, Mike (June 23, 2022). "Raptors' two-way has family connection 36 years in the making". RaptorsRapture.com. Fansided. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  22. ^ Ganter, Mike (June 24, 2022). "Christian Koloko might not appear to be Raptors-y, but the fit is there". SaltWire.com. Post Media. Archived from the original on February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  23. ^ "RAPTORS RE-SIGN DOWTIN JR. AND HARPER JR. AND ADD FREEMAN-LIBERTY". NBA.com. July 22, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  24. ^ "Harper Jr. waived by Raptors, will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery". Sportsnet. December 8, 2023. p. 1. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  25. ^ Amico, Sam (December 8, 2023). "Raptors waive injured Ron Harper Jr. from two-way contract". HoopsWire.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Barth, Alex (July 8, 2024). "Celtics Summer League roster and schedule announced". 985TheSportsHub.com. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  27. ^ Kirschenbaum, Alex (July 14, 2024). "Ron Harper Jr. Signs Camp Contract with Celtics". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  28. ^ Tucker, Tristan (October 17, 2024). "Celtics Waive Jay Scrubb, Ron Harper Jr., Hason Ward". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  29. ^ Martin, Spencer (October 26, 2024). "Celtics Select Three In G League Draft". NBA.com. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  30. ^ Politi, Steve (March 11, 2018). "Like father, like son? Rutgers can only hope with Ron Harper Jr". NJ.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  31. ^ "Ron Harper Jr". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  32. ^ Fonseca, Brian (March 10, 2020). "'Address me by my name': Rutgers' Ron Harper Jr. goes one-on-one with his father's legacy". NJ.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
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