Ron Harper Jr.: The Journey of the Young Guard from Rutgers to the NBA

Ron Harper Jr., born Ronald Harper Jr. on April 12, 2000, in Ramsey, New Jersey, has been making waves in the basketball world despite facing several challenges in his young career. Standing at 6-4 and weighing 233 pounds, Harper has shown promising skills that have caught the attention of NBA teams.

Harper’s basketball journey began at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in his hometown and continued at Rutgers University, where he played as a senior. Although he entered the 2021 NBA Draft early, he withdrew and re-entered in 2022, only to go undrafted. This setback did not deter him, as he quickly signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on July 13, 2022.

His time with the Raptors was marked by periods of being a restricted free agent and signing another two-way contract in July 2023. However, his contract was ended by the Raptors on December 8, 2023, making him a free agent once again. In July 2024, Harper signed a contract with the Boston Celtics, but his tenure was short-lived as he was placed on waivers by the Celtics on October 17, 2024, and became a free agent two days later.

Despite the contractual ups and downs, Harper has demonstrated his capabilities in the NBA Summer League. In the 2022-23 season, he played for the Raptors in Las Vegas, showcasing his skills in several games. His performance in the Summer League has been a highlight of his career so far, with notable stats in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harper’s dedication and perseverance are reflective of his family’s strong basketball legacy. His father, also named Ron Harper, is a five-time NBA champion, known for his strong stance on social issues and his involvement in various community activities.