Photo by: Ben Solomon
Ron Harper Jr. Makes Late Season Top 20 Watch List for Wooden Award
Feb 01 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced the John R. Wooden Award® presented by Wendy's® Late Season Top 20 Watch List today and Rutgers' junior Ron Harper Jr. was listed among the front-runners for the sports' most prestigious honor.
Harper Jr. is one of seven players from the Big Ten on the list. The Franklin Lakes, N.J. native ranks sixth in the league in scoring at 17.3 points per game. The Don Bosco Prep product has scored in double-figures in 12 of his 14 games played, with five games of at least 20 points and one 30 point performance. He ranks second on the team with 6.2 rebounds per game and has added 29 assists, 12 steals and 29 assists.
Harper Jr. has been a versatile weapon for the Scarlet Knights this season. He has contributed scoring at all three levels as well as defense and rebounding. Harper Jr. is also on the Top 10 Watch List for the Julius Erving Award, recognizing the top small forward in the nation.
"I like to think of myself as a player that can do a little bit of everything and is good at doing everything," Harper Jr. explained. "I take pride in being versatile because there is not a situation on the court that I'm uncomfortable in. I can bring the ball up, set a screen, get a rebound, defend. I like to think that I can do it all."
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2021 John R. Wooden Award Men's Player of the Year presented by Wendy's. Players not chosen to the late season list are still eligible for the Wooden Award™ National Ballot. The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Nearly 1,000 voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team™ will be announced the week of the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2021 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.
"Rutgers is going to make a run in the NCAA Tournament and Ron Harper Jr. is a big reason why," Seth Greenberg said on ESPNU during the announcement. "He's such a versatile player. He's a matchup nightmare because of his size, his strength and his versatility."
About the John R. Wooden Award
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award Program hosts the most prestigious honors in college basketball recognizing the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player for men and women, the Wooden Award All American Teams for men and women and the annual selection of the Wooden Award Legends of Coaching recipient.
Harper Jr. is one of seven players from the Big Ten on the list. The Franklin Lakes, N.J. native ranks sixth in the league in scoring at 17.3 points per game. The Don Bosco Prep product has scored in double-figures in 12 of his 14 games played, with five games of at least 20 points and one 30 point performance. He ranks second on the team with 6.2 rebounds per game and has added 29 assists, 12 steals and 29 assists.
Harper Jr. has been a versatile weapon for the Scarlet Knights this season. He has contributed scoring at all three levels as well as defense and rebounding. Harper Jr. is also on the Top 10 Watch List for the Julius Erving Award, recognizing the top small forward in the nation.
"I like to think of myself as a player that can do a little bit of everything and is good at doing everything," Harper Jr. explained. "I take pride in being versatile because there is not a situation on the court that I'm uncomfortable in. I can bring the ball up, set a screen, get a rebound, defend. I like to think that I can do it all."
The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2021 John R. Wooden Award Men's Player of the Year presented by Wendy's. Players not chosen to the late season list are still eligible for the Wooden Award™ National Ballot. The National Ballot consists of 15 top players who have proven to their universities that they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award. Nearly 1,000 voters will rank in order 10 of those 15 players when voting opens prior to the NCAA Tournament and will allow voters to take into consideration performance during early round games. The Wooden Award All American Team™ will be announced the week of the "Elite Eight" round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2021 John R. Wooden Award will be presented by Wendy's following the NCAA Tournament in April.
"Rutgers is going to make a run in the NCAA Tournament and Ron Harper Jr. is a big reason why," Seth Greenberg said on ESPNU during the announcement. "He's such a versatile player. He's a matchup nightmare because of his size, his strength and his versatility."
About the John R. Wooden Award
Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award Program hosts the most prestigious honors in college basketball recognizing the Wooden Award Most Outstanding Player for men and women, the Wooden Award All American Teams for men and women and the annual selection of the Wooden Award Legends of Coaching recipient.
Players Mentioned
Guard/Forward
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