Harping on Ron Harper Jr. | The Weekend Warrior
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Butler Jr. | Florida State | Forward | Freshman
Ochai Agbaji | Kansas | Wing | Senior
Josiah-Jordan James | Tennessee | Wing | Junior
Allen Flanigan | Auburn | Wing | Junior
Orlando Robinson | Fresno State | Big | Junior
Mouhamed Gueye | Washington State | Big | Freshman
Gui Santos | Minas | Wing
Jalen Wilson | Kansas | Forward | Sophomore
Johnny Juzang | UCLA | Wing | Junior
Ismael Kamagate | Paris Basket | Big
Leonardo Okeke | Junior Casale | Big
Kris Murray | Iowa | Forward | Sophomore
Kofi Cockburn | Illinois | Big | Junior
Gabriele Procida | Fortitudo | Wing
Wendell Moore Jr. | Duke | Perimeter | Junior
Hyunjung Lee | Davidson | Wing | Junior
Jaden Shackelford | Alabama | Guard | Junior
Dalen Terry | Arizona | Perimeter | Sophomore
Mark Williams | Duke | Big | Sophomore
Paolo Banchero | Duke | Forward | Freshman
Ziga Samar | Fuenlabrada | Guard
Shaedon Sharpe | Kentucky | Wing | Freshman
Hugo Besson | New Zealand | Guard
Ousmane Dieng | New Zealand | Wing
Fedor Zugic | ULM | Wing
Scotty Pippen Jr. | Vanderbilt | Guard | Junior
Matteo Spagnolo | Vanoli Cremona | Guard
Chet Holmgren | Gonzaga | Big | Freshman
Jalen Duren | Memphis | Big | Freshman
Julian Strawther | Gonzaga | Forward | Sophomore
Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee | Forward | Freshman
Christian Koloko | Arizona | Big | Junior
Alondes Williams | Wake Forest | Perimeter | Senior
Dyson Daniels | Ignite | Perimeter
Justin Lewis | Marquette | Forward | Sophomore
Jeremy Sochan | Baylor | Forward | Freshman
JD Davison | Alabama | Guard | Freshman
Bennedict Mathurin | Arizona | Wing | Sophomore
Malcolm Cazalon | Mega Basket | Perimeter
Nikola Jovic | Mega Basket | Forward
Terquavion Smith | North Carolina State | Guard | Freshman
Ryan Rollins | Toledo | Guard | Freshman
Isaiah Wong | Miami | Guard | Junior
Peyton Watson | UCLA | Forward | Freshman
Isaiah Mobley | USC | Forward | Junior
Efe Abogidi | Washington State | Big | Sophomore
Trayce Jackson-Davis | Indiana | Big | Junior
Jaylin Williams | Arkansas | Big | Sophomore
Jabari Smith Jr. | Auburn | Forward | Freshman
Walker Kessler | Auburn | Big | Sophomore
Kennedy Chandler | Tennessee | Guard | Freshman
TyTy Washington Jr. | Kentucky | Guard | Freshman
Isiaih Mosley | Missouri State | Guard | Junior
Tyler Burton | Richmond | Wing | Junior
David Roddy | Colorado State | Forward | Junior
Drew Timme | Gonzaga | Big | Junior
Marcus Sasser | Houston | Guard | Junior
Keion Brooks Jr. | Kentucky | Wing | Junior
Nijel Pack | Kansas State | Guard | Sophomore
Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | Big | Sophomore
Tari Eason | LSU | Forward | Sophomore
Josh Minott | Memphis | Forward | Freshman
Iverson Molinar | Mississippi State | Guard | Junior
Bryce McGowens | Nebraska | Wing | Freshman
Blake Wesley | Notre Dame | Guard | Freshman
EJ Liddell | Ohio State | Big | Junior
Jordan Hall | Saint Joseph’s | Perimeter | Sophomore
Baylor Scheierman | South Dakota State | Wing | Junior
Kevin McCullar | Texas Tech | Perimeter | Junior
Kendall Brown | Baylor | Forward | Freshman
Jabari Walker | Colorado | Forward | Sophomore
Keegan Murray | Iowa | Forward | Sophomore
Jake LaRavia | Wake Forest | Wing | Junior
Harrison Ingram | Stanford | Forward | Freshman
Aminu Mohammed | Georgetown | Guard | Freshman
Jalen Williams | Santa Clara | Wing | Junior
Jaden Ivey | Purdue | Guard | Sophomore
Jonathan Davis | Wisconsin | Guard | Sophomore
Max Christie | Michigan State | Guard | Freshman
Malaki Branham | Ohio State | Guard | Freshman
Dereon Seabron | North Carolina State | Perimeter | Sophomore
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.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Milwaukee-Wisconsin | Forward | Freshman
Josh Minott | Memphis | Forward | Freshman
Frankie Collins | Michigan | Guard | Freshman
Osun Osunniyi | St. Bonaventure | Big | Grad Transfer
Kyle Lofton | St. Bonaventure | Guard | Grad Transfer
Javon Franklin | South Alabama | Forward | Grad Transfer
Umoja Gibson | Oklahoma | Guard | Grad Transfer
Dominick Welch | St. Bonaventure | Guard | Grad Transfer
Kevin McCullar | Texas Tech | Perimeter | Junior
Johnni Broome | Morehead State | Big | Freshman
Malachi Smith | Chattanooga | Guard | Sophomore
De’Vion Harmon | Oregon | Guard | Junior
KC Ndefo | St. Peter’s | Big | Grad Transfer
Josh Mballa | Buffalo | Forward | Grad Transfer
Kim Aiken Jr. | Arizona | Perimeter | Grad Transfer
Jay Heath | Arizona State | Guard | Sophomore
Emmitt Matthews Jr. | Washington | Forward | Grad Transfer
Baylor Scheierman | South Dakota State | Wing | Sophomore
John-Michael Wright | High Point | Guard | Junior
Tommy Bruner | Jacksonville | Guard | Sophomore
Tyrese Hunter | Iowa State | Guard | Freshman
Shakeel Moore | Mississippi State | Guard | Sophomore
Keonte Kennedy | UTEP | Guard | Sophomore
David Jones | DePaul | Forward | Sophomore
Tre Mitchell | Texas | Big | Junior
AJ Green | Northern Iowa | Guard | Junior
Ricky Council IV | Wichita State | Perimeter | Freshman
Jarron Coleman | Missouri | Guard | Junior
Emoni Bates | Memphis | Wing | Freshman
DJ Jeffries | Mississippi State | Forward | Junior
Grant Sherfield | Nevada | Guard | Junior
Devonaire Doutrive | Boise State | Guard | Grad Transfer
Antoine Davis | Detroit Mercy | Guard | Senior
Kendric Davis | SMU | Guard | Senior
Jordan Nesbitt | St. Louis | Wing | Freshman
Akok Akok | UConn | Forward | Junior
Dawson Garcia | UNC | Forward | Sophomore
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield | Tennessee | Big | Sophomore
Emmanuel Akot | Boise State | Wing | Grad Transfer
Adam Miller | LSU | Guard | Sophomore
Eric Gaines | LSU | Guard | Sophomore
Jahmir Young | Charlotte | Guard | Junior
KJ Williams | Murray State | Big | Junior
Bennett Vander Plas | Ohio | Forward | Grad Transfer
Landers Nolley II | Memphis | Forward | Junior
Noah Williams | Washington State | Guard | Junior
Dre Davis | Louisville | Perimeter | Sophomore
Doug Edert | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior
Matthew Lee | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior
Daryl Banks III | St. Peter’s | Guard | Junior
Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Louisiana Tech | Big | Sophomore
Jalen Bridges | West Virginia | Forward | Sophomore (R.S)
Jaiden Delaire | Stanford | Forward | Grad Transfer
Joseph Bamisile | George Washington | Guard | Sophomore
Fardaws Aimaq | Utah Valley | Big | Junior (R.S)
Will Richard | Belmont | Guard | Freshman
Trevon Brazile | Missouri | Forward | Freshman
Brandon Murray | LSU | Guard | Freshman
Xavier Pinson | LSU | Guard | Grad Transfer
Terrence Shannon Jr. | Texas Tech | Wing | Junior
Samuell Williamson | Louisville | Wing | Junior
Andre Curbelo | Illinois | Guard | Sophomore
Nelly Cummings | Colgate | Guard | Grad Transfer
Manny Bates | North Carolina State | Big | Junior
Earl Timberlake | Memphis | Guard | Sophomore
Nijel Pack | Kansas State | Guard | Sophomore
Mark Sears | Ohio | Guard | Sophomore
Efton Reid | LSU | Big | Freshman
Courtney Ramey | Texas | Guard | Graduate
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:
Johnni Broome: From Morehead State to Auburn
De’Vion Harmon: From Oregon to Texas Tech
Emmitt Matthews Jr.: From Washington to West Virginia
Jahmir Young: From Charlotte to Maryland
Landers Nolley II: From Memphis to Cincinnati
Dre Davis: From Louisville to Seton Hall
Matthew Lee: From St. Peter’s to Missouri State
Fardaws Aimaq: From Utah Valley to Texas Tech
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield: From Tennessee to Louisville
Daryl Banks III: From St. Peter’s to St. Bonaventure
Kendric Davis: From SMU to Memphis
Bennett Vander Plas: From Ohio to Virginia
Nijel Pack: From Kansas State to Miami
Dawson Garcia: From North Carolina to Minnesota
Jalen Bridges: From West Virginia to Baylor
Terrence Shannon Jr.: From Texas Tech to Illinois
Earl Timberlake: From Memphis to Bryant University
Andre Curbelo: From Illinois to St. John’s
Doug Edert: From Saint Peter’s to Bryant University
Will Richard: From Belmont to Florida
Eric Gaines: From LSU to UAB
Trevon Brazile: From Missouri to Arkansas
Nelly Cummings: From Colgate to Pittsburgh
Mark Sears: From Ohio to Alabama
Alex Fudge: From LSU to Florida
Samuell Williamson: From Louisville to SMU
Brandon Murray: From LSU to Georgetown
Joseph Bamisile: From George Washington to Oklahoma
Noah Williams: From Washington State to Washington
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...