Ron Harper, Jr. Signs with Men's Basketball
Nov 08 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (November 8, 2017) – Head Men's Basketball Coach Steve Pikiell announced today that Ron Harper, Jr. has signed to compete at Rutgers University. A senior at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., he comes from a basketball family and will hit the hardwood for the Scarlet Knights as a true freshman in 2018-19.
"We are excited to have Ron Harper Jr. join Rutgers Nation," said Pikiell. "He was a player we identified and loved from the first time we saw him play. His versatility and ability to shoot the ball, along with the fact that he's an awesome kid from a tremendous family, was really exciting to our staff and me as the head coach. We love the fact that he is from a winning and well coached program at Don Bosco in our home state of New Jersey. Ron has a tremendous upside and we look forward to him having a great career 'On the Banks.' Rutgers Nation is very excited to add Ron Harper Jr. to R Family."
"He's been great for us in his progression as a player, on and off the court," said Don Bosco Prep Head Coach Kevin Diverio. "I think his best days are ahead of him. I don't think he's near the kind of player that he will end up being. I think that potential was what Rutgers saw in him that some other people missed out on. He comes from a great family, with both his mom and his dad being Division I players. His game has evolved since last year. He's been a leader on our team and someone that we look to score, rebound and defend. He's really embraced his role and run with it.
"His versatility is his biggest strength," Diverio continued. "He can play and score both inside and outside, he has great court vision. He passes the ball well. He's not one dimensional, I think down the line he'll be able to guard multiple positions. His teammates love him. He is a great teammate and I think that goes a long way in creating team unity. I can't say enough about him as a person."
Ron Harper Jr.
Guard / 6-6, 220
Franklin Lakes, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep
Scholastic: A Rivals three star prospect who averaged 10.1 points-per-game as a junior at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey (N.J.) under head coach Kevin Diverio in 2016-17 … helped the Ironmen win their first NJSIAA Non-Public A title in 47 years and reach Tournament of Champions final … had 17 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in TOC semifinal victory over Linden … was recognized as a Standout Performer at the Oladipo Skills Academy in July 2017 … competes on the AAU circuit for Ring City … signed with the Scarlet Knights over reported offers from Nebraska and Miami (OH).
Personal: Son of Maria and Ron Harper … mother played collegiately at the University of New Orleans … father was an AP All-American at Miami (OH) and had a 15-year career in the NBA, winning five titles combined with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, while averaging 13.8 points over 1,009 career games.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.
-RU-
"We are excited to have Ron Harper Jr. join Rutgers Nation," said Pikiell. "He was a player we identified and loved from the first time we saw him play. His versatility and ability to shoot the ball, along with the fact that he's an awesome kid from a tremendous family, was really exciting to our staff and me as the head coach. We love the fact that he is from a winning and well coached program at Don Bosco in our home state of New Jersey. Ron has a tremendous upside and we look forward to him having a great career 'On the Banks.' Rutgers Nation is very excited to add Ron Harper Jr. to R Family."
"He's been great for us in his progression as a player, on and off the court," said Don Bosco Prep Head Coach Kevin Diverio. "I think his best days are ahead of him. I don't think he's near the kind of player that he will end up being. I think that potential was what Rutgers saw in him that some other people missed out on. He comes from a great family, with both his mom and his dad being Division I players. His game has evolved since last year. He's been a leader on our team and someone that we look to score, rebound and defend. He's really embraced his role and run with it.
"His versatility is his biggest strength," Diverio continued. "He can play and score both inside and outside, he has great court vision. He passes the ball well. He's not one dimensional, I think down the line he'll be able to guard multiple positions. His teammates love him. He is a great teammate and I think that goes a long way in creating team unity. I can't say enough about him as a person."
Ron Harper Jr.
Guard / 6-6, 220
Franklin Lakes, N.J. / Don Bosco Prep
Scholastic: A Rivals three star prospect who averaged 10.1 points-per-game as a junior at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey (N.J.) under head coach Kevin Diverio in 2016-17 … helped the Ironmen win their first NJSIAA Non-Public A title in 47 years and reach Tournament of Champions final … had 17 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in TOC semifinal victory over Linden … was recognized as a Standout Performer at the Oladipo Skills Academy in July 2017 … competes on the AAU circuit for Ring City … signed with the Scarlet Knights over reported offers from Nebraska and Miami (OH).
Personal: Son of Maria and Ron Harper … mother played collegiately at the University of New Orleans … father was an AP All-American at Miami (OH) and had a 15-year career in the NBA, winning five titles combined with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, while averaging 13.8 points over 1,009 career games.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.
-RU-
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