Ron Harper Jr’s NBA Journey
Filipino-American Ron Harper Jr. became the fourth player with Filipino blood to play in the National Basketball Association after Raymond Townsend, Jordan Clarkson, and Jalen Green.
However, his stint in the league was short-lived, and he still hopes to return soon after signing a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 14, 2022. After being waived by the Raptors due to an injury, the big question is, where is he now?
The answer is that the 6-foot-4 forward is rehabbing after season-ending surgery last December. Harper sustained a subluxation of the left shoulder while playing for the Raptors 905 of the G League. Harper made just one appearance in the NBA in 2023-24.
Let’s hope and pray for Ron Harper’s fast recovery, enabling him to return to the NBA.
Ron Harper Jr’s Early Career
Ronald Harper Jr. was born on April 12, 2000. He is the son of former NBA player Ron Harper, and his brother Dylan is set to enter the NBA Draft in 2025. He played college basketball for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference. Harper was born in Paterson, New Jersey, while his father, Ron Harper, played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He grew up playing basketball under the coaching of his mother, Maria, a Filipina.
On the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, Harper competed for Ring City Basketball, a program owned by his parents. He was raised in Upper Saddle River and Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, and attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey.
During his junior year, Harper averaged an outstanding 10.1 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 37 percent from 3-point range. He orchestrated his team’s first Non-Public A state title win in 47 years. In his senior season, he continued his impressive numbers by averaging 20.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, leading his team to its second straight Non-Public A state championship.
He scored a career-high 33 points in a loss to Roselle Catholic High School in the Tournament of Champions final. The Record named Harper North Jersey Player of the Year. Rivals considered him a four-star recruit, but his only Power Five scholarship offers were from Nebraska and Rutgers. On August 11, 2017, he committed to playing college basketball for Rutgers.
In his collegiate debut against Fairleigh Dickinson, Ron Jr. showed his full potential by scoring 15 points. On March 2, 2019, Harper set a record by scoring a freshman season-high 27 points for Rutgers in an 86–72 win over Iowa. He averaged steady numbers of 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a freshman. Harper improved his strength and conditioning to improve his game, gaining 15 lbs (6.8 kg) in the offseason.
During his sophomore season, he became a regular starter. On January 22, 2020, Harper had his best game of his young career by scoring a season-high 29 points and nine rebounds in an 85–80 loss to Iowa. On February 25, he showed versatility by recording 27 points, shooting 5-of-5 from three-point range, in a 72–57 victory over Illinois. As a sophomore, Ron Harper upped his average to 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.
On November 27, Harper improved even more by scoring a career-high 30 points with five three-pointers in a 96–75 win over Fairleigh Dickinson. Harper orchestrated Rutgers to their first NCAA Tournament as a junior in 30 years. He even improved his average by registering 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.
On December 9, 2021, Harper tied his career high of 30 points with ten 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. With his all-around brilliance, Harper was named to the Second Team All-Big Ten.
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. He ultimately went undrafted but signed a two-way contract with the Raptors. He made his debut on the court against the Atlanta Hawks. On July 22, 2023, Harper signed another two-way contract with the Raptors but was waived on December 8 after suffering an injury.
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