BOSTON — This wasn’t Ron Harper Jr.’s first time being with the Celtics for training camp, but it was the first time he’ll stick with the organization after landing a new contract. Harper inked a two-way deal for the C’s as he’ll split his time with the main club and the G League for this upcoming season.
Harper spent last season with the Celtics for training camp before landing in Maine. But he signed a two-way contract with the Pistons in January, playing for the Motor City Cruise for the rest of the season. While he wasn’t sure what the plan for this upcoming season would be, the Celtics were still interested in his services again.
“As soon as my stint was over with Detroit, I was gathering options and my agent mentioned Boston really would love to have me back,” Harper said. “In the back of my mind it was just like, last training camp I was really grateful because I learned a lot of things. They were coming off an NBA championship, so just being in here, being around the program, just to being able to see and being able to learn things. So I feel like that was a big part of me getting a two-way in Detroit, of me getting that opportunity. ANd then when the opportunity came to come back, it was something I jumped on very quick.”
The Celtics were clearly impressed with Harper even based off when he played in some preseason games. Of the fringe guys, Harper got notable playing time with some of the regulars. The C’s waived RJ Luis Jr., who they acquired from the Jazz in the Georges Niang trade, in order to make room for Harper.
Harper, 25, played four seasons at Rutgers before going undrafted in 2022. He’s played in 11 NBA career games with the Raptors and Pistons. Aside from spending 2024 training camp in Boston, he also played for the Celtics at Summer League that year. His dad, Dylan Harper, played 15 years in the NBA and won 5 NBA titles. His brother, Dylan Harper, was selected No. 2 overall by the Spurs after spending a season at Rutgers. So, now they’re both in the league together.
“Me and Dylan talk every day,” Harper said. “That’s my little brother. We obviously dreamed about this, both being in the NBA, sharing the court together, guarding each other, stuff like that we were playing on a mini hoop dreaming about. So it’s definitely a great moment for us and our family, so it’s a testament to the hard work we put in and the position we put ourselves in.”
Harper will suit up plenty with the Maine Celtics this season alongside C’s draft picks Amari Williams and Max Shulga, the team’s other two-way signees. There will also likely be some of other Exhibit 10 guys, who spent training camp with the Celtics. He’ll also be coached by up new Maine coach Phil Pressey, who enters his first season.
“Basketball is a position-less sport now, so point guard, shooting guard doesn’t matter,” Harper said. “They emphasized to me that my decision-making, with the ball in my hands, being primary, secondary ball-handler and just being able to defend and hit 3s. So just being able to perfect all of those things, it’ll carve out my role perfectly.”
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