Ron Harper Jr. Declares for NBA Draft
Rutgers senior guard Ron Harper Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft. Harper made the announcement on social media on Wednesday afternoon saying in part: “The last four years have…
DAYTON, OHIO – MARCH 16: Ron Harper Jr. #24 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights shoots the ball for three points in the first half of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the First Four game of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 16, 2022 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Rutgers senior guard Ron Harper Jr. has declared for the NBA Draft.
Harper made the announcement on social media on Wednesday afternoon saying in part:
"The last four years have been nothing short of a dream come true. ... Thank you to the staff and my teammates for encouraging me through every turn along the way. Coach Pike and and all the coaches believed in me when few people did. For that and so much more, I will be forever grateful. ... Now it's time for me to pursue another dream of mine."
"In over 30 years of coaching I have never had a player on and off the court like Ron Harper Jr. " head coach Steve Pikiell said. "Ron has been the perfect ambassador for the Rutgers men's basketball team these last four years. He came here when we were only talking about the things that we wanted to accomplish like making the NCAA Tournament. He's given Rutgers fans some of the best moments in school history and helped lead us to three-straight NCAA Tournament bids. I truly believe that his best basketball is ahead of him, and I am excited to see him, and his family explore the opportunity of the 2022 NBA Draft."
Harper was named All-American Honorable Mention by the Associated Press a week ago. Harper Jr. was honored as a member of the 2021-22 All-Big Ten 2nd Team, the highest team recognition honor given to Rutgers in the conference.
"Harper Jr. led the team with 15.8 points per game in 32 starts this season. 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," (Scarlet Knights.com).
Harper always had a flare for the dramatic, especially this year where he had two game winning shots, including one against then-first ranked Purdue to win a game at Jersey Mike's Arena.
The men went 7-0 when Harper scored 20+ points in games this year. Rutgers finished the season 18-14, and made it to the NCAA Tournament First Four, where it lost in overtime to Notre Dame.
