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Harping on Ron Harper Jr. | The Weekend Warrior

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Harping on Ron Harper Jr. | The Weekend Warrior

FEATURING: Ron Harper Jr. | Prelude: Ageism is Gross | Stephen's Storylines: Deadline Declarations, Enter the Transfer Portal, & Players Ready to Report

Stephen Gillaspie
May 1, 2022
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Harping on Ron Harper Jr. | The Weekend Warrior

www.noceilingsnba.com

Ageism is Gross

A man’s body may grow old, but inside his spirit can still be as young and as restless as ever.”

-Sir Michael Caine, Secondhand Lions

Sure. Maybe this quote is a bit heavy for basketball. Maybe this is a little extreme. But is it? Michael Caine is 89 years old as of today, and this movie came out in 2003, so maybe grouping this movie while discussing draft prospects is a bit out there. However, when evaluating players, fans and scouts alike have a tendency to dismiss a player when they may be pushing the ripe old age of *gulps*…23! “Older” sophomores, such as Keegan Murray, can be discarded as a player with “limited” upside—as if he will be incapable of growth once he gets the best coaching or training he’ll ever receive. Players who have limited film available, limited playing time, limited experience, but good measurables are all but vaulted up boards due to everyone’s favorite P-word. You guessed it: Potential.

One definition a person might come across when looking up the word potential is “having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.” This word is typically reserved for amateurs that are in their teens. A popular draft philosophy is to abstain from taking older players because their timeline is better served on a more ready-to-win roster in the NBA. But what keeps good teams good and bad teams bad is falling into draft fallacies, falling into the notion that you “have to” abide by a certain principle.

Look at last year’s draft class. Chris Duarte was selected at 13 by the Indiana Pacers. A senior taken 13th? Goodness. Yet he placed sixth in points per game relative to his peers, ninth in rebounds per game, 12th in assists per game, and eighth in three-point percentage. Scroll down to the 35th pick (and one of the darling young players in the Playoffs), Herbert Jones. He fell to the New Orleans Pelicans and has been trusted with the more difficult matchups for a team without arguably their best player in Zion Williamson. He plays with attitude and has already proven to be a 30-team player. Just three picks behind Jones was Ayo Dosunmu. Ayo was drafted into a stable of guards that the Chicago Bulls used at various points in the season that boosted their team to the Playoffs. Dosunmu finished sixth in his class in assists per game and fifth in Win Shares. The fact that the Bulls trusted him to play as much as he did speaks to the talent he displayed as soon as he stepped foot onto an NBA court. All of these players go higher in a redraft despite their age.

Desmond Bane, taken 30th in 2020. Brandon Clarke, taken 21st in 2019. Grant Williams, taken 22nd that same year. Robert Williams, taken 27th in 2018. Jalen Brunson, taken 33rd that same draft. Dillon Brooks, taken 45th in 2017. Monte Morris, taken at 51 that same season. What do they have in common? Besides being “old” players in their classes, they would all be drafted higher in redrafts, and they all play for NBA playoff teams. Were the teams that took them all playoff teams at the time? Nope. However, they all play significant roles for good teams. Any other NBA team would want them.

It would be asinine to pretend that there aren’t benefits in taking younger players. Typically the top picks are reserved for such prospects. The teams selecting there generally do not have other players that sell tickets or can be counted on to turn their franchise around. The belief is that being better while being younger is appealing; as their bodies mature, they gain NBA-level experience, which equals stardom. It’s a simple equation, but it can be easy to ignore the negative variables that could result in a less-than-desirable outcome. While combustible players garner the attention, ready-made players fall to teams that use them as foundational pieces to play in meaningful basketball games.


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Harping on Ron Harper Jr.

As has been with the last few “Preludes” on The Weekend Warrior, the previous segment set the stage beautifully for today’s “Featured Prospect,” Ron Harper Jr. Harper has spent four seasons playing for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Despite his last name, he wasn’t a highly touted recruit—in terms of how he was viewed nationally. Among other top universities, Nebraska might be the most recognizable name to the general population.

Ron played in 31 games as a freshman, starting in 19. From there, he improved his game over the next three seasons in nearly every aspect. From 7.8 PPG in his first season to 15.8 in his senior campaign, Harper Jr. has grown into a legitimate prospect that could (and should) be drafted.

Twitter avatar for @StephenGHoops
Stephen Gillaspie @StephenGHoops
Ron Harper Jr.: ⭐️83rd Percentile in Jumpers ⭐️93rd Percentile on Spot Ups 3⃣ 39.8% from distance this season
5:20 PM ∙ Apr 30, 2022

Take a look at what is likely going to be Harper Jr.’s calling card in the association. While appearing to be more of a power player, Ron has an incredible shooting profile. Despite seemingly poor shooting numbers in his prior seasons, Harper increased his attempts from distance by nearly 30 while doing so at a 39.8% clip. He can get those shots off from most places on the perimeter.

Per Synergy, Harper Jr. grades out in the 83rd percentile in Jump Shots. He is in the 89th Percentile in catch-and-shoot opportunities, which can be further broken down to him being in the 89th percentile while being guarded, and in the 71st while unguarded. He ranks in the 93rd percentile on spot-ups, the 92nd percentile on no-dribble jumpers, and the 52nd on dribble jumpers.

As most know, simply being a shooter can make the journey to the league more difficult. Luckily for Ron, he can do a little bit more that makes his case to be drafted more feasible. He is an amalgam of size, strength, technique, and skill that should allow him to play a multitude of positions which could make him a matchup problem if he hits his high-end outcome. With a somewhat unorthodox frame, Harper can use his strong frame to punish guards that aren’t familiar with defending their opponents on the block. Synergy ranks him in the 70th percentile on post-up plays. It’s not difficult to imagine some teams using him in a multi-wing lineup as a small-ball 4 of sorts. As a roll man, he graded out in the 84th percentile, which means that his team has the option to either set the screen and make cuts to score, or—should the defense switch on the screen—he could take the smaller defender on the block, where he comfortably can get the shot he wants. On top of all of those factors, Harper Jr. grades out in the 89th percentile in transition, the 70th percentile when working off of screens to get an open look, and in the 54th percentile making cuts to score. Bottom line: he does a lot.

Twitter avatar for @StephenGHoops
Stephen Gillaspie @StephenGHoops
Ron Harper Jr.: ✉️ 70th Percentile on Post Ups 📺 70th Percentile Working Off of Screens ✂️ 54th Percentile on Cuts
5:32 PM ∙ Apr 30, 2022

For players that get selected where RHJ is projected to be selected, it is imperative to not be played off the court. Negating the opposition is what builds the trust between player and coach. Ron won’t necessarily blow evaluators away, but there are some areas of his defense that should help him hold his own in a team concept. In order of his best play types, Harper was in the 86th percentile defending off of screens away from the ball-handler. He was in the 69th percentile defending the pick-and-roll ball-handler, in the 64th percentile against the roll man, and the 50th percentile when defending post-ups.

Twitter avatar for @StephenGHoops
Stephen Gillaspie @StephenGHoops
Ron Harper Jr.: 📺🔒 86th Percentile Defending Off Screens 🏀👐 69th Percentile Defending PnR Ball Handler ⭐️ 64th Percentile Defending PnR Roll Men
5:37 PM ∙ Apr 30, 2022

Projecting as a power guard, coaches might be able to put him on more stationary, or lower priority offensive players, and let him roam to help on drives. With his strong frame, and depending on the individual matchups, Harper may be able to shadow less-skilled front court players and be a dependable switching wing. Regardless of how creative his team could be with his defensive responsibilities, the team that is fortunate enough to land Harper Jr. will undoubtedly be please with his maturity, dedication to his craft, selflessness, IQ, and skillset to take on the challenges asked of him on a game-by-game basis.


Stephen’s Storylines

Early NBA Draft Entrants:

The deadline for players with the desire to try their hand at the NBA Draft, or at least get some feedback that could help the stock for next season, has come to a close. Some of the players listed below have maintained their college eligibility while simultaneously entering the transfer portal (more to come on that topic). Even though they have declared, some prospects may withdraw from draft consideration, which means this list of players remains fluid.

  1. John Butler Jr. | Florida State | Forward | Freshman

  2. Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | Wing | Senior

  3. Josiah-Jordan James | Tennessee | Wing | Junior

  4. Allen Flanigan | Auburn | Wing | Junior

  5. Orlando Robinson | Fresno State | Big | Junior

  6. Mouhamed Gueye | Washington State | Big | Freshman

  7. Gui Santos | Minas | Wing

  8. Jalen Wilson | Kansas | Forward | Sophomore

  9. Johnny Juzang | UCLA | Wing | Junior

  10. Ismael Kamagate | Paris Basket | Big

  11. Leonardo Okeke | Junior Casale | Big

  12. Kris Murray | Iowa | Forward | Sophomore

  13. Kofi Cockburn | Illinois | Big | Junior

  14. Gabriele Procida | Fortitudo | Wing

  15. Wendell Moore Jr. | Duke | Perimeter | Junior

  16. Hyunjung Lee | Davidson | Wing | Junior

  17. Jaden Shackelford | Alabama | Guard | Junior

  18. Dalen Terry | Arizona | Perimeter | Sophomore

  19. Mark Williams | Duke | Big | Sophomore

  20. Paolo Banchero | Duke | Forward | Freshman

  21. Ziga Samar | Fuenlabrada | Guard

  22. Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | Wing | Freshman

  23. Hugo Besson | New Zealand | Guard

  24. Ousmane Dieng | New Zealand | Wing

  25. Fedor Zugic | ULM | Wing

  26. Scotty Pippen Jr. | Vanderbilt | Guard | Junior

  27. Matteo Spagnolo | Vanoli Cremona | Guard

  28. Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | Big | Freshman

  29. Jalen Duren | Memphis | Big | Freshman

  30. Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | Forward | Sophomore

  31. Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee | Forward | Freshman

  32. Christian Koloko | Arizona | Big | Junior

  33. Alondes Williams | Wake Forest | Perimeter | Senior

  34. Dyson Daniels | Ignite | Perimeter

  35. Justin Lewis | Marquette | Forward | Sophomore

  36. Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | Forward | Freshman

  37. JD Davison | Alabama | Guard | Freshman

  38. Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | Wing | Sophomore

  39. Malcolm Cazalon | Mega Basket | Perimeter

  40. Nikola Jovic | Mega Basket | Forward

  41. Terquavion Smith | North Carolina State | Guard | Freshman

  42. Ryan Rollins | Toledo | Guard | Freshman

  43. Isaiah Wong | Miami | Guard | Junior

  44. Peyton Watson | UCLA | Forward | Freshman

  45. Isaiah Mobley | USC | Forward | Junior

  46. Efe Abogidi | Washington State | Big | Sophomore

  47. Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | Big | Junior

  48. Jaylin Williams | Arkansas | Big | Sophomore

  49. Jabari Smith Jr. | Auburn | Forward | Freshman

  50. Walker Kessler | Auburn | Big | Sophomore

  51. Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | Guard | Freshman

  52. TyTy Washington Jr. | Kentucky | Guard | Freshman

  53. Isiaih Mosley | Missouri State | Guard | Junior

  54. Tyler Burton | Richmond | Wing | Junior

  55. David Roddy | Colorado State | Forward | Junior

  56. Drew Timme | Gonzaga | Big | Junior

  57. Marcus Sasser | Houston | Guard | Junior

  58. Keion Brooks Jr. | Kentucky | Wing | Junior

  59. Nijel Pack | Kansas State | Guard | Sophomore

  60. Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | Big | Sophomore

  61. Tari Eason | LSU | Forward | Sophomore

  62. Josh Minott | Memphis | Forward | Freshman

  63. Iverson Molinar | Mississippi State | Guard | Junior

  64. Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | Wing | Freshman

  65. Blake Wesley | Notre Dame | Guard | Freshman

  66. EJ Liddell | Ohio State | Big | Junior

  67. Jordan Hall | Saint Joseph’s | Perimeter | Sophomore

  68. Baylor Scheierman | South Dakota State | Wing | Junior

  69. Kevin McCullar | Texas Tech | Perimeter | Junior

  70. Kendall Brown | Baylor | Forward | Freshman

  71. Jabari Walker | Colorado | Forward | Sophomore

  72. Keegan Murray | Iowa | Forward | Sophomore

  73. Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | Wing | Junior

  74. Harrison Ingram | Stanford | Forward | Freshman

  75. Aminu Mohammed | Georgetown | Guard | Freshman

  76. Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | Wing | Junior

  77. Jaden Ivey | Purdue | Guard | Sophomore

  78. Jonathan Davis | Wisconsin | Guard | Sophomore

  79. Max Christie | Michigan State | Guard | Freshman

  80. Malaki Branham | Ohio State | Guard | Freshman

  81. Dereon Seabron | North Carolina State | Perimeter | Sophomore

  82. Julian Champagnie | St. John’s | Wing | Junior



Enter the Transfer Portal:

While the deadline doors are shut, the pathway to the portal remains open and active. Some of the players below will be receiving feedback from NBA talent authorities and taking it back to school. Which school? Many have finished their journey across the portal, while the decisions of some prospects will hinge on how evaluators believe in (or promise) the players below. Players in BOLD have already cemented their collegiate destination.

  1. Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee-Wisconsin | Forward | Freshman

  2. Josh Minott | Memphis | Forward | Freshman

  3. Frankie Collins | Michigan | Guard | Freshman

  4. Osun Osunniyi | St. Bonaventure | Big | Grad Transfer

  5. Kyle Lofton | St. Bonaventure | Guard | Grad Transfer

  6. Javon Franklin | South Alabama | Forward | Grad Transfer

  7. Umoja Gibson | Oklahoma | Guard | Grad Transfer

  8. Dominick Welch | St. Bonaventure | Guard | Grad Transfer

  9. Kevin McCullar | Texas Tech | Perimeter | Junior

  10. Johnni Broome | Morehead State | Big | Freshman

  11. Malachi Smith | Chattanooga | Guard | Sophomore

  12. De’Vion Harmon | Oregon | Guard | Junior

  13. KC Ndefo | St. Peter’s | Big | Grad Transfer

  14. Josh Mballa | Buffalo | Forward | Grad Transfer

  15. Kim Aiken Jr. | Arizona | Perimeter | Grad Transfer

  16. Jay Heath | Arizona State | Guard | Sophomore

  17. Emmitt Matthews Jr. | Washington | Forward | Grad Transfer

  18. Baylor Scheierman | South Dakota State | Wing | Sophomore

  19. John-Michael Wright | High Point | Guard | Junior

  20. Tommy Bruner | Jacksonville | Guard | Sophomore

  21. Tyrese Hunter | Iowa State | Guard | Freshman

  22. Shakeel Moore | Mississippi State | Guard | Sophomore

  23. Keonte Kennedy | UTEP | Guard | Sophomore

  24. David Jones | DePaul | Forward | Sophomore

  25. Tre Mitchell | Texas | Big | Junior

  26. AJ Green | Northern Iowa | Guard | Junior

  27. Ricky Council IV | Wichita State | Perimeter | Freshman

  28. Jarron Coleman | Missouri | Guard | Junior

  29. Emoni Bates | Memphis | Wing | Freshman

  30. DJ Jeffries | Mississippi State | Forward | Junior

  31. Grant Sherfield | Nevada | Guard | Junior

  32. Devonaire Doutrive | Boise State | Guard | Grad Transfer

  33. Antoine Davis | Detroit Mercy | Guard | Senior

  34. Kendric Davis | SMU | Guard | Senior

  35. Jordan Nesbitt | St. Louis | Wing | Freshman

  36. Akok Akok | UConn | Forward | Junior

  37. Dawson Garcia | UNC | Forward | Sophomore

  38. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield | Tennessee | Big | Sophomore

  39. Emmanuel Akot | Boise State | Wing | Grad Transfer

  40. Adam Miller | LSU | Guard | Sophomore

  41. Eric Gaines | LSU | Guard | Sophomore

  42. Jahmir Young | Charlotte | Guard | Junior

  43. KJ Williams | Murray State | Big | Junior

  44. Bennett Vander Plas | Ohio | Forward | Grad Transfer

  45. Landers Nolley II | Memphis | Forward | Junior

  46. Noah Williams | Washington State | Guard | Junior

  47. Dre Davis | Louisville | Perimeter | Sophomore

  48. Doug Edert | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior

  49. Matthew Lee | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior

  50. Daryl Banks III | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior

  51. Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | Big | Sophomore

  52. Jalen Bridges | West Virginia | Forward | Sophomore (R.S)

  53. Jaiden Delaire | Stanford | Forward | Grad Transfer

  54. Joseph Bamisile | George Washington | Guard | Sophomore

  55. Fardaws Aimaq | Utah Valley | Big | Junior (R.S)

  56. Will Richard | Belmont | Guard | Freshman

  57. Trevon Brazile | Missouri | Forward | Freshman

  58. Brandon Murray | LSU | Guard | Freshman

  59. Xavier Pinson | LSU | Guard | Grad Transfer

  60. Terrence Shannon Jr. | Texas Tech | Wing | Junior

  61. Samuell Williamson | Louisville | Wing | Junior

  62. Andre Curbelo | Illinois | Guard | Sophomore

  63. Nelly Cummings | Colgate | Guard | Grad Transfer

  64. Manny Bates | North Carolina State | Big | Junior

  65. Earl Timberlake | Memphis | Guard | Sophomore

  66. Nijel Pack | Kansas State | Guard | Sophomore

  67. Mark Sears | Ohio | Guard | Sophomore

  68. Efton Reid | LSU | Big | Freshman

  69. Courtney Ramey | Texas | Guard | Graduate

  70. Alex Fudge | LSU | Wing | Freshman

Ready to Report:

As the days have passed over the past week, many of the players who declared for the transfer portal have committed to play for new universities. Let’s take a look:

  1. Johnni Broome: From Morehead State to Auburn

  2. De’Vion Harmon: From Oregon to Texas Tech

  3. Emmitt Matthews Jr.: From Washington to West Virginia

  4. Jahmir Young: From Charlotte to Maryland

  5. Landers Nolley II: From Memphis to Cincinnati

  6. Dre Davis: From Louisville to Seton Hall

  7. Matthew Lee: From St. Peter’s to Missouri State

  8. Fardaws Aimaq: From Utah Valley to Texas Tech

  9. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield: From Tennessee to Louisville

  10. Daryl Banks III: From St. Peter’s to St. Bonaventure

  11. Kendric Davis: From SMU to Memphis

  12. Bennett Vander Plas: From Ohio to Virginia

  13. Nijel Pack: From Kansas State to Miami

  14. Dawson Garcia: From North Carolina to Minnesota

  15. Jalen Bridges: From West Virginia to Baylor

  16. Terrence Shannon Jr.: From Texas Tech to Illinois

  17. Earl Timberlake: From Memphis to Bryant University

  18. Andre Curbelo: From Illinois to St. John’s

  19. Doug Edert: From Saint Peter’s to Bryant University

  20. Will Richard: From Belmont to Florida

  21. Eric Gaines: From LSU to UAB

  22. Trevon Brazile: From Missouri to Arkansas

  23. Nelly Cummings: From Colgate to Pittsburgh

  24. Mark Sears: From Ohio to Alabama

  25. Alex Fudge: From LSU to Florida

  26. Samuell Williamson: From Louisville to SMU

  27. Brandon Murray: From LSU to Georgetown

  28. Joseph Bamisile: From George Washington to Oklahoma

  29. Noah Williams: From Washington State to Washington




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Harping on Ron Harper Jr. | The Weekend Warrior

www.noceilingsnba.com
1 Comment
Patrick Daniels
May 1, 2022Liked by Stephen Gillaspie

Thanks Stephan, where Harper ends up will be interesting, nice job pointing out his game! A lot good players on that list, it’s interesting following all the mocks, but you guys probably have as good a read on where they’ll fall! Thanks...

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