PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers forward
Ron Harper Jr. has signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on the night of the 2022 NBA Draft.
"The Rutgers basketball family is so proud of
Ron Harper Jr. for this opportunity with the Toronto Raptors," head coach
Steve Pikiell said. "This couldn't have happened to a better person or better ambassador for our program on and off the court. Ron guided us to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, hit some of the biggest shots in Rutgers history and achieved incredible individual accolades over the past four years. I am so excited to watch Ron's NBA journey and I am thrilled for his friends and family."
In four seasons at Rutgers, Harper Jr. played in 121 games with 109 starts. He scored 1,525 points and collected 622 rebounds, 94 steals and 78 blocks. He is tied for 12
th all-time with RU legend Roy Hinson in points scored and 19
th all-time in blocked shots. Harper Jr. made 181 career three-pointers, shot 43.9 percent from the field and was 34 percent from long range.
Harper Jr. had his best season with the Scarlet Knights in 2021-22. Harper Jr. led the team with 15.8 points per game in 32 starts. The Franklin Lakes, N.J. native shot 44.2 percent from the field and a career-best 39.8 percent from three-point distance this season, along with 5.9 rebounds per game, a career-best 33 steals and 20 blocks.
Harper Jr. opened his memorable senior season with four consecutive double-doubles, then scored 30 points with a buzzer-beating halfcourt shot to defeat No. 1 Purdue. Rutgers was awarded National Team of the Week by ESPN and NCAA.com March Madness for the first time in school history following the win. Rutgers had four consecutive wins over ranked opponents, becoming the first unranked team has done so in college basketball history. Harper Jr. ended his regular season with a game-winning shot against Indiana on the road and a victory in front of RU Nation against Penn State on Senior Day.
Harper Jr. became the first Scarlet Knight since Quincy Douby in 2005-06 to be named All-American. He is the 11
th Scarlet Knight in program history to earn All-America honors. Harper Jr. also became the first Rutgers player to Win the Metropolitan Haggerty Award since Douby in 2005-06.
Harper Jr.'s 2
nd Team All-Big Ten Award was the highest recognition ever for a Scarlet Knight in the Big Ten. Harper previously had one Third Team and one Honorable Mention selection tying Rutgers legend James Bailey for three All-Conference team awards.
Harper Jr. has been recognized nationally on the preseason Watch List for the Wooden Award twice, one of 50 players listed for the nation's top player. He was a two-time All-Metropolitan Player of the Week following his performances vs. Purdue, Michigan, and Nebraska. Harper Jr. was also honored on the USBWA's All-America All District team voted on by the writers and the NWABC's All-America 2nd All-District team voted on by the coaches.
Harper Jr. was on the top 5 watchlist for the for the Julius Irving Award given to the nation's top small forward in 2021-22.
In 2020-21, Harper Jr. helped lead the program to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991. Harper Jr.'s Scarlet Knights had an opening round victory over No. 7 seed Clemson that marked RU's first NCAA Tournament win since 1983.
The Scarlet Knights' win over No. 7 seed Clemson in the opening round marked the highest seeded team defeated in the NCAA Tournament since 1979, before falling to an eventual Final Four team in No. 2 seed Houston. Harper Jr. was Third Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-Met and an Academic All-Big Ten honoree that year.
In 2019-20 Harper Jr. was awarded an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and Second Team All-Met.
On Thursday night, Harper Jr. became Pikiell's signee to the NBA in his six seasons with Rutgers. Harper Jr. is the son of Maria and Ron Harper Sr. His mother Maria played Division 1 basketball at the University of New Orleans from 1993-96. She founded an AAU team Ring City and coached Ron on that team. His father was an AP All-American at Miami (Ohio) and had a 15-year career in the NBA, winning five titles combined with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, while averaging 13.8 points over 1,009 career games.
The Rutgers NBA alumni welcomed Harper Jr. with the following quotes:
Phil Sellers (1976 Detroit Pistons):
"I want to congratulate
Ron Harper Jr. on joining the Rutgers NBA family," Sellers said. "I know you are going to do well and have much success. It's a great honor for another Rutgers player to make it to the NBA for our fan base. Good luck and I'll be rooting for you in the NBA."
Quincy Douby (2006 Sacramento Kings) :
"I want to congratulate
Ron Harper Jr. on being a part of the Rutgers NBA family," Douby said. "He's a stud man. I think his game will translate to the next level. I'll never forget when he hit the biggest shot in Rutgers history against Purdue. When he hit that shot, I literally ran around the house. My family and I want to send love and congratulations to
Ron Harper Jr.!"
Bob Lloyd (1967 Detroit Pistons):
"I want to thank you
Ron Harper Jr. for everything you have done for Rutgers basketball," Lloyd said. "You had a great career and gave all the alumni a lot of thrills. My advice I give to you Ron is to go in with that mindset that you own the NBA. Good luck to you
Ron Harper Jr., I know you will have a great career in the NBA."
Eddie Jordan (1977 Cleveland Cavaliers):
"What a special moment in your life Ron. I'm happy for Ron joining the Rutgers NBA family," Jordan said. "I am so happy for you. You are going to be a terrific pro and you are going to do great at the next level. I want you to enjoy all the ups and downs of being in the NBA."
Hollis Copeland (1979 Denver Nuggests):
"Ron we are thrilled to welcome you to the Rutgers NBA family," Copeland said. "I am sure you get great advice from your coach mother and your NBA champion father. My best advice to you is that God lead you on your path. I offer you blessings on this journey to the NBA!"
Mike Dabney (1976 Los Angeles Lakers):
"Congratulations
Ron Harper Jr. on joining us former Rutgers players who made it to the NBA," Dabney said. "This was due to your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You have been a great ambassador for Rutgers basketball and an excellent student-athlete. I wish you nothing but the best going forward. Stay focused, stay strong and make it fun."
Kevin Black (1983 New Jersey Nets):
"I think that
Ron Harper Jr.is a great all-around player especially on defense," Black said. "I think he's going to be a good player in the NBA. His shooting was very consistent at Rutgers, and he can shoot if from all the ranges. I know he's a great kid and I look forward to watching his career at the next level."
Roy Hinson (1983 Cleveland Cavaliers):
"Ron, you are now a part of a select few who played at Rutgers University and went on to play in the NBA so enjoy that," Hinson said. "I wish you nothing but the best and I look forward to seeing you in Vegas for the rookie-transition program."
