Ron Harper Jr. is coming off a year where he appeared in one game for the Detroit Pistons.
He put up four points, seven rebounds and two assists.
After spending training camp with the Boston Celtics, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Harper Jr. has landed a spot on the roster.
Via Charania: “The Boston Celtics are signing Ron Harper Jr. to a two-way NBA contract, agent Drew Gross of WME Basketball tells ESPN. Harper earns Celtics roster spot and enters a fourth NBA season after having strong preseason.”
Harper Jr.’s Career Before The Boston Celtics:
The former Rutgers star has appeared in 11 NBA games for the Toronto Raptors (and Pistons).
His career averages are 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 37.5% from the field and 20.0% from the three-point range.
The 25-year-old has also spent a lot of time playing in the G League.
He finished last year with averages of 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 44.0% from the field and 39.0% from the three-point range in 27 games.
Via Bobby Manning of Celtics on CLNS: “Ron Harper Jr. is #2 pick Dylan Harper’s older brother. Standout Rutgers career and a strong, physical player who’s undersized for his position. Has come a long way with his 3PT shot and was developing well with Toronto before a bad shoulder injury derailed him for a year or two.”
Harper Jr. is also the son of Ron Harper.
He won five NBA Championships has a member of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
Via Justin Lowe: “Celtics are signing Ron Harper Jr on their final Two-Way spot. He spent last training camp in Boston and played four games last season for the Maine Celtics averaging 22.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, on 50/43/75 splits.”
The Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship, and then finished last season as the second seed in the Eastern Conference (before losing to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs).
While they will be without Jayson Tatum (and traded away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis), they still have a roster (led by Jaylen Brown) that can reach the 2026 NBA playoffs.
