Ron Harper Jr. Named All-American by Associated Press
Rutgers senior guard Ron Harper Jr. was named as a member of the Associated Press All-American team late Tuesday as an honorable mention selection.
According to Scarlet Knights.com, Harper Jr. becomes the 11th Rutgers basketball player to be named an All-American in program history. The last Rutgers All-American was Quincy Douby in 2006.
Harper Jr. has received a host of accolades this season, placing him among the nation’s best players. He is currently one of the top five players for the Julius Erving Award, given to the nation’s top small forward. He was also named Metropolitan Player of the Week twice following performances against Purdue, Michigan and Nebraska.
The senior has enjoyed both an amazing senior season, and career at Rutgers.
Ron Harper Jr. has been selected as an All-American by the Associated Press!
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) March 15, 2022
The first Scarlet Knight to win the award since Quincy Douby in 2006.
Per Scarlet Knights com, Harper Jr is leading the team at 15.6 points per game this season, and is shooting 43.4 percent from the field, with a career-best 39 percent from three-point distance. He averaged 5.9 rebounds per game, and holds a career-best 33 steals and 19 blocks.
Harper Jr. had career-highs of 31 points and six three pointers made in the win over Maryland on Jan. 15. He had 29 points in the victory over Nebraska and shot a perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line on Jan. 8. Harper Jr. led the way with 30 points and the game-winning buzzer-beater defeat No. 1 Purdue on December 9.
The Scarlet Knights are 7-0 when Harper Jr. scores 20+ points in a game in 2021-22. He was a key cog in leading Rutgers to an 18-13 record in 2021-22, and a program best 12 victories against Big Ten competition. Rutgers beat six ranked opponents this year in Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Maryland.
Harper Jr. and the Scarlet Knights are getting set to play Notre Dame in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. and can be heard on Fox Sports Radio New Jersey 93.5 FM and 1450 AM.
