Ron Harper Jr.

Last updated

Ron Harper Jr.
Ron Harper Jr 2.jpg
Harper with Rutgers in 2020
Free agent
Position Small forward
Personal information
Born (2000-04-12) April 12, 2000 (age 23)
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school Don Bosco Prep
(Ramsey, New Jersey)
College Rutgers (2018–2022)
NBA draft 2022: undrafted
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2023 Toronto Raptors
2022–2023 →Raptors 905
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Ronald Harper Jr. (born April 12, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with Raptors 905 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.

Contents

Early life and high school career

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

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

Toronto Raptors (2022–2023)

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]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 Toronto 905.3.500.3331.000.8.4.0.12.2
2023–24 Toronto 103.7–––.01.0.0.0.0
Career1005.1.500.3331.000.7.5.0.12.0

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2018–19 Rutgers 311922.3.413.278.6793.11.1.6.57.8
2019–20 Rutgers 313128.1.452.349.7085.81.0.8.812.1
2020–21 Rutgers 272732.0.441.310.7365.91.6.7.614.9
2021–22 Rutgers 323234.3.442.398.7955.91.91.0.615.8
Career12110929.1.439.340.7415.11.4.8.612.6

Personal life

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. [26] [27] 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. [28]

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References

  1. ↑ Flojo, Enzo (May 10, 2020). "Son of a Bull". Daily Tribune . Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Rising Fil-Am hoop star is from family of cagers". Philippine Daily Inquirer . September 13, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Cooper, Darren (March 14, 2017). "What's in a name, if it's Harper?". The Record . Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  4. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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" (Press release). Big Ten Conference. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  17. ↑ Jonathan Givony (March 23, 2022). "Rutgers' Ron Harper Jr., a projected second-round pick, to declare for NBA draft". ESPN.com . Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  18. ↑ Brian Fonseca (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". 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". 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. ↑ Politi, Steve (March 11, 2018). "Like father, like son? Rutgers can only hope with Ron Harper Jr". NJ.com . Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Ron Harper Jr". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  28. ↑ 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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