Ron Harper, Jr. Signs Two-Way with Detroit Pistons
Spencer Martin /January 6, 2025
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DETROIT, Mich. - Ron Harper, Jr. has agreed to a Two-Way Contract with the Detroit Pistons. He leaves Maine after playing 14 games for the Celtics.
Harper, Jr. becomes the 22nd player in franchise history to earn a GATORADE Call-Up to the NBA, and the first since Luka Šamanić in the 2022-23 season. In 14 games for Maine this season, Harper averaged 14.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 24.6 minutes per contest. He is shooting 48.3% from the field this season, including 39.2% from three-point range.
Harper, Jr. has been lights out for the Celtics since the start of the regular season. Harper Jr. lead Maine in scoring, averaging 22.8 PPG on 50% shooting from the floor in 32.1 minutes per game. He connected on 42.5% of his shots from deep during that four-game span. Combining the Tip-Off Tournament and Regular Season, Harper Jr. averaged 14.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, and 1.4 APG as a Celtic.
Harper Jr.'s strong stretch started at the Winter Showcase and continued into the regular season. Harper Jr. scored 57 points in Maine's first two games, including a career-high 32-point effort against Grand Rapids. Before the start of the G League season, Harper Jr. competed for Boston in the 2024 NBA Summer League, where Harper Jr. averaged 6.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in four games.
This will be Harper, Jr.'s third Two-Way contract in three seasons. Previous to his time in Portland, the New Jersey native spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Raptors organization. Harper Jr. signed a Two-Way contract with the Raptors in 2022. Harper Jr. appeared in 10 games for the Raptors, including a career-best 10-point, four rebound effort in 2023 against Milwaukee. He appeared in 43 games for Toronto's G League affiliate, Raptors 905, in 2022-23, posting averages of 17.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest. He appeared in just six games in the 2023-24 season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. The Raptors waived Harper Jr. shortly after in December 2023. Ron is the son of Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion.
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