Ron Harper Jr. Is Making the Most of His NBA Moment - and Sharing It with Family
LOS ANGELES - For Ron Harper Jr., All-Star Weekend isn’t just a personal milestone - it’s a full-circle moment.
After years grinding through the G League, battling injuries, and bouncing between two-way contracts, Harper Jr. is finally getting his shot - and he’s not just showing up, he’s showing out. Now 25 and representing the Maine Celtics, Harper has earned a spot in the Rising Stars game as one of the G League’s top performers.
The numbers back it up: 24.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this season. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I think we were all really excited to compete and represent the G League,” Harper Jr. said, speaking with a quiet confidence that comes from knowing how far he’s come. “We’ve got a common understanding - we’re gonna go out there, play the right way, play as a team, and try to get a win.”
He’ll take the floor Friday night alongside fellow G League standouts like Alijah Martin, Yang Hansen, Jahmir Young, and Sean East II. But this weekend isn’t just about showcasing his game - it’s also about family.
On Saturday, Harper Jr. will suit up again for the NBA’s Shooting Stars competition, joining forces with his father, five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, and his younger brother Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a rising star with the San Antonio Spurs.
The idea came together late, but once the opportunity was on the table, Harper Jr. didn’t hesitate.
“They had both agreed to it, and they asked me to do it,” he said. “And I was like, ‘Yeah, why not?’
I wasn’t gonna stick them with some random on the team. It just made sense.
I knew I was gonna be here already for the Rising Stars game. It was a great opportunity to create some lifelong memories with family.”
From G League Grind to NBA Rotation
This weekend spotlight comes at the perfect time for Harper Jr., who’s finally starting to carve out real NBA minutes. After logging just 105 total NBA minutes in his career prior to February, he’s already played 70 this month alone - and he’s making them count.
Earlier this month, he got his first NBA start against the Houston Rockets - and made it count with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, all career highs. But the real statement came on the defensive end, where he was tasked with guarding Kevin Durant. That’s right - Harper Jr.’s “Welcome to the NBA” moment came against one of the most gifted scorers the league has ever seen.
“A dude like that, you don’t want to let him catch the ball,” Harper said. “And then sometimes he gets to the spot, and you can’t do nothing about it.”
Still, Harper held his own - and Durant had one of his roughest outings of the season.
With the Celtics making a midseason move that sent Anfernee Simons to Chicago, Harper Jr. has seen a bump in opportunity. He’s only averaging 10.7 minutes across 10 games this season, but the arrow is pointing up. The Celtics are second in the East at 35-19, and Harper’s emergence adds another layer of depth to a backcourt that’s been reshaped on the fly.
Sibling Rivalry, NBA Style
One of the weekend’s most intriguing storylines is the Harper brothers sharing the stage - and the spotlight.
Ron and Dylan Harper will face off in Friday’s Rising Stars game, then team up for Shooting Stars on Saturday. It’s a rare and special moment - not just for them, but for fans watching two brothers who took very different paths to the league come together at the game’s biggest midseason event.
Growing up, their battles were legendary - driveway duels that helped shape the edge both now bring to the court.
“I had a very strict older brother philosophy - you got to earn it, I’m not gonna let him win,” Ron said. “I used to tell my parents every time - he used to get mad at me because of it - that he’s gonna do it to somebody else one day.”
Now, both brothers are making an impact on contending teams. Dylan’s already a key rotation piece in San Antonio, averaging 10.9 points in 21.7 minutes per game.
The Spurs are second in the West at 38-16. Ron’s journey has been longer, less linear, but he’s finally getting his shot - and making the most of it.
And don’t think the sibling rivalry has cooled off just because they’re both in the league now.
“If we play tomorrow in the driveway, ain’t no refs out there?” Ron said with a grin. “I’m winning.”
The Moment - and the Message
For Ron Harper Jr., this weekend is about more than just stats or minutes. It’s about perseverance, family, and proving that the long road can still lead to the big stage.
He’s not just here to participate - he’s here to belong. And if his recent play is any indication, this won’t be the last time we see the Harper name making noise during All-Star Weekend.