Ronald Harper (born January 20, 1964) is an American former professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

player. He played for four teams in the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball sports league, league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues i ...

(NBA) between 1986 and 2001 and is a five-time

NBA champion The National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals is the championship series for the NBA held at the conclusion of its postseason. All Finals have been played in a best-of-seven format, and are contested between the winners of the Eastern Con ...

Early life

Harper was born and grew up in

Dayton, Ohio Dayton () is the sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County. The 2020 U.S. census estimate put the city population at 137,644, while Greater ...

. Ron and his twin brother were the youngest of six children raised in a single-parent household by their mother. She worked several jobs to support the family, including as a school teacher and on an assembly line at a General Motors plant. In high school, he first attended Belmont High School in Dayton, but was cut from the freshman team and didn't play as a sophomore. He later transferred to Kiser High School in Dayton and as a senior averaged 20.5 points, 13.4 rebounds, five assists, five steals and six blocked shots and was named first-team All-Ohio. He graduated from Kiser in 1982. The Kiser High School facility is now an elementary school. In 2006, Harper attended a ceremony at which the school's gymnasium was named for him.

College career

Harper starred at

Miami University Miami University (informally Miami of Ohio or simply Miami) is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio. The university was founded in 1809, making it the second-oldest university in Ohio (behind Ohio University, founded in 1804) and the 1 ...

Oxford, Ohio Oxford is a city in Butler County, Ohio, United States. The population was 23,035 at the 2020 census. A college town, Oxford was founded as a home for Miami University and lies in the southwestern portion of the state approximately northwest ...

for four seasons from 1982–83 through 1985–86. As a freshman, Harper scored 12.8 points per game and led Miami in rebounding with 7.0 per game as the team went 13–15. As a sophomore, he led the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game and in rebounding with 7.6 per game, as Miami went 24–6 and won the

Mid-American Conference The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twe ...

championship, the MAC tournament championship, and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. In his junior season, he set personal bests and again led the team with 24.9 and 10.7 rebounds per game and also led in steals with 2.6 per game. He was named MAC Player of the Year as the team went 20–11, finished second in the MAC and earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. In his senior season, on March 8, 1985, he set both a Miami and a MAC tournament single-game scoring record of 45 points in one game (as well as snaring 18 rebounds). His scoring average of 24.9 per game is second all-time at Miami behind Fred Foster's 26.8 in 1967–68. He again led the team in rebounding with 11.7 per game as well as assists (4.3) and steals (3.3). He also became the first MAC player in history to record a triple-double with 38 points, 19 rebounds and 12 assists against Ball State University. Again he was named MAC Player of the Year and also named second-team All-American by both the

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. n ...

(AP) and

United Press International United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the ...

(UPI). Miami went 24–7 to win the MAC title and earn a berth in the NCAA tournament. Harper is Miami's all-time leading scorer with 2,377 points, and also leads in rebounding with 1,119. He was the first men's player in MAC history to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career. He also holds Miami's all-time records for career scoring average (19.8), games started (118), minutes played (4,164), field goals (969), and blocked shots (173). He had a career field goal percentage of .534. At his final home game in 1986, he became the first basketball player in Miami history to have his number (34) retired.

Professional career

Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1989)

Harper was selected in the first round (eighth overall) in the 1986 NBA draft by the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

. Harper made his NBA debut on November 1, 1986. He broke 30 points in just his sixth game, with 34 against the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division. The Kings are the oldest ...

on November 11, 1986. He scored a season-high 40 points against the

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. Founded in 1946 as one of ...

on February 4, 1987, and had one of his finest all-around games on February 10, 1987, against the

New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associa ...

with 25 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and five steals. Harper started all 82 games and averaged 22.9 points per game (ppg) and 4.8 rebounds per game (rpg) along with 4.8 assists and 2.5 steals. He placed second in Rookie of the Year balloting behind Chuck Person of the

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The Pacers were first est ...

. In his second season, he was limited to 57 games due to a severely sprained ankle suffered in the second game of the season that kept him out until late December. For the season, he averaged 15.4 ppg. The Cavaliers made the

playoffs The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eit ...

, but were eliminated by the

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on Januar ...

, three games to two. The following season, 1988–89, he again started all 82 games, averaging 18.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals as the Cavaliers advanced to the

, where they were eliminated in the first round, again by the

three games to two, this time with a one-point loss in game 5 on the Cavaliers’ home court — the now-defunct Richfield Coliseum. This game was ended by

The Shot The Shot was a basketball play that occurred during a 1989 playoff game between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It took place on May 7, 1989 at Richfield Coliseum in Richfield Townsh ...

Los Angeles Clippers (1989–1994)

In his fourth season, 1989–90, after seven games with the Cavaliers, on November 16, 1989, Harper was traded to the

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...

, alongside two first-round draft picks and a second-round draft pick, for Reggie Williams and Danny Ferry, the latter having refused to play for the Clippers. Harper started all 28 games he played for the Clippers, but his season was cut short by a serious right knee injury suffered in a game in January 1990. Diagnosed with both a torn

anterior cruciate ligament The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of cruciate ligaments (the other being the posterior cruciate ligament) in the human knee. The two ligaments are also called "cruciform" ligaments, as they are arranged in a crossed formation ...

and torn cartilage, he underwent surgery. For the 1989–90 season overall, he averaged 22.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals and a career-high 1.2 blocks per game. His season was highlighted by back-to-back 39-point games against Denver and Indiana in December 1989, both of which the Clippers won. In his next season, 1990–91, he was limited to 39 games, but still posted averages of 19.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg along with 5.4 assists and 1.7 steals By 1991–92, his sixth NBA season, he bounced back to start all 82 games, averaging 18.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals. as the Clippers advanced to the

, where they were eliminated three games to two by the

Utah Jazz The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference, Northwest Division. Since the 1991–92 season, ...

. In 1992–93, Harper was named a co-captain (alongside Danny Manning and Mark Jackson). In 80 games (77 as a starter), Harper averaged 18.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 assists and 2.2 steals. The Clippers again made the

, but yet again Harper's team was eliminated in the first round, this time three games to two by the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member team of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Southwest Divisio ...

. In 1993–94, his fourth full season with the Clippers and eighth in the NBA, he played and started in 75 games, averaging 20.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 4.6 assists and 1.9 steals. On March 11, 1994, he tallied a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists along with six steals in a win over the

Dallas Mavericks The Dallas Mavericks (often referred to as the Mavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Southwest Division. The ...

. Two nights later, he came within one assist of duplicating the feat, with 39 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists plus another six steals in a win over the

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...

Chicago Bulls (1994–1999)

On September 15, 1994, Harper signed a free-agent deal with the

, who were reloading following the first retirement of

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. His biography on the official NBA website states: "By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the g ...

. Harper found his niche with the Bulls upon Jordan's return, eventually becoming a fan favorite by reinventing himself as a big perimeter defender, ball handler, and mid-range scorer. In his first season in Chicago, 1994–95, Harper started 53 of the 77 games he played, although his minutes dipped to 19.9 per game and he averaged a then-career low of 6.9 ppg. For the first time in Harper's career, his team advanced past the first round of the

, as the Bulls defeated the

Charlotte Hornets The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division, and pla ...

three games to one before losing to the

Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The franchise was estab ...

four games to two in the conference semifinals. In 1995–96, Harper's 10th NBA season, he played in and started 80 games, with his playing time increasing to 23.6 minutes per game and his scoring average to 7.4 ppg. It was a record-setting season for the Bulls as the team, coached by

Phil Jackson Philip Douglas Jackson (born September 17, 1945) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive. A power forward, Jackson played 12 seasons in the NBA, winning NBA championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and ...

and led by Jordan and Scottie Pippen and with Harper playing a key role, had a then NBA all-time best record of 72–10. They then defeated the

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The club plays its home games at FT ...

, and

in the first three rounds of the

en route to winning their fourth NBA championship four games to two over the

Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics (commonly known as the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle. The SuperSonics competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member club of the league's Western Conf ...

. In 1996–97, he played in 76 games, starting 74 and averaging 6.3 ppg. The Bulls had another dominant regular season with a record of 69–13 as they defeated the

Washington Bullets The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays ...

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at ...

and

in the first three rounds of the

en route to winning their fifth NBA championship, this time four games to two over the

. In 1997–98, Harper's 12th NBA season, he started all 82 games for the Bulls, increasing his minutes per game to 27.9 and his scoring average to 9.3 ppg. The Bulls had a regular-season record of 62–20 as they defeated the

New Jersey Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator ...

and

in the first three rounds of the

en route to winning their sixth NBA championship, again four games to two over the

. Harper played his final season with the Bulls during the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season. With the Bulls roster depleted due to the second retirement of Michael Jordan, as well as the losses of Scottie Pippen and

Dennis Rodman Dennis Keith Rodman (born May 13, 1961) is an American former professional basketball player. Known for his fierce defensive and rebounding abilities, his biography on the official NBA website states that he is "arguably the best rebounding ...

, the Bulls floundered to a 13–37 record. Harper played 35 games, starting all of them. He finished second on the team with 11.2 ppg. During his five seasons with the Bulls, he averaged about 25 minutes per game, averaging between 6.3 and 11.2 ppg during those seasons.

Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2001)

After being released by the Bulls prior to the 1999–2000 season, on October 13, 1999, he signed a two-year contract as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers and his former Bulls coach, Phil Jackson. During the 1999–2000 season, Harper started 78 of 80 games playing much the same role as he did for the Bulls, averaging 7.0 ppg and finishing second on the Lakers in steals behind

Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant ( ; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely ...

. Led by Bryant and

Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal ( ; born March 6, 1972), known commonly as "Shaq" ( ), is an American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program '' Inside the NBA''. O'Neal is regarded as one of the great ...

, the Lakers won 67 games and secured the league's best record as they defeated the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference (NBA), Western Conference Pacific Division (NBA), P ...

and Portland Trail Blazers in the first three rounds of the

. In the final minute of game 3 in Portland, Harper caught a pass from Bryant in the left corner and sank a 19-foot jump shot with 29.9 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 93–91 lead. On the final play of the game, Harper helped Bryant block a shot by

Arvydas Sabonis Arvydas Romas Sabonis (; born December 19, 1964) is a Lithuanian former professional basketball player and businessman. Recognized as one of the best European players of all time, he won the Euroscar six times and the Mr. Europa Award twice. He ...

to seal the Lakers' victory. The Lakers would win the series in seven games to set up a match-up with the

in the

Finals Final, Finals or The Final may refer to: * Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event ** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of con ...

. In game 2, Bryant sprained his ankle and left the game. Harper and Glen Rice picked up the slack with 21 points apiece to help the Lakers take a 2–0 lead. The Lakers would go on to win the NBA championship over the Pacers four games to two. Harper started all 23 games in the postseason and averaged 8.6 points per game, earning his fourth NBA championship ring. The 2000–2001 season was Harper's 15th and final NBA season. Injuries limited him to 47 games (starting 46). By season's end, Derek Fisher had taken over the starting point guard slot, and Harper would only play in six games during the

. The Lakers reached the

, where they faced the

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, colloquially known as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Ea ...

. Following the Sixers' win in game 1, the Lakers won games 2 and 3. In game 4, Harper made crucial shots on the way to eight points, his best point total for the series. The Lakers won games 4 and game 5 to win their second straight NBA championship. It earned Harper his fifth NBA championship ring in a six-year span.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Cleveland Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U ...

, 82, , 82, , 37.4, , .455, , .213, , .684, , 4.8, , 4.8, , 2.5, , 1.0, , 22.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 52, , 52, , 32.1, , .464, , .150, , .705, , 3.9, , 4.9, , 2.1, , .9, , 15.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 82, , 82, , 34.8, , .511, , .250, , .751, , 5.0, , 5.3, , 2.3, , .9, , 18.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 7, , 7, , 37.4, , .442, , .200, , .756, , 6.9, , 7.0, , 2.0, , 1.3, , 22.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

L.A. Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division in the league's Western Conference. The Clipper ...

, 28, , 28, , 39.5, , .481, , .283, , .795, , 5.6, , 4.8, , 2.4, , 1.1, , 23.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 39, , 34, , 35.5, , .391, , .324, , .668, , 4.8, , 5.4, , 1.7, , .9, , 19.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 82, , 82, , 38.3, , .440, , .303, , .736, , 5.5, , 5.1, , 1.9, , .9, , 18.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 80, , 77, , 37.1, , .451, , .280, , .769, , 5.3, , 4.5, , 2.2, , .9, , 18.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

, 75, , 75, , 38.1, , .426, , .301, , .715, , 6.1, , 4.6, , 1.9, , .7, , 20.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

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, 77, , 53, , 19.9, , .426, , .282, , .618, , 2.3, , 2.0, , 1.3, , .4, , 6.9 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;",

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, 80, , 80, , 23.6, , .467, , .269, , .705, , 2.7, , 2.6, , 1.3, , .4, , 7.4 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;",

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, 76, , 74, , 22.9, , .436, , .362, , .707, , 2.5, , 2.5, , 1.1, , .5, , 6.3 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;",

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, 82, , 82, , 27.9, , .441, , .190, , .750, , 3.5, , 2.9, , 1.3, , .6, , 9.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

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, 35, , 35, , 31.6, , .377, , .318, , .703, , 5.1, , 3.3, , 1.7, , 1.0, , 11.2 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 80, , 78, , 25.5, , .399, , .311, , .680, , 4.2, , 3.4, , 1.1, , .5, , 7.0 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 47, , 46, , 24.2, , .469, , .264, , .708, , 3.5, , 2.4, , .5, , .5, , 6.5 , - , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" , Career , 1009, , 967, , 30.9, , .446, , .289, , .720, , 4.3, , 3.9, , 1.7, , .7, , 13.8

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;", 1988 , style="text-align:left;",

, 4, , 4, , 33.5, , .476, , .000, , .688, , 5.0, , 3.8, , 2.8, , 1.0, , 17.8 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1989 File:1989 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The Cypress structure collapses as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, killing motorists below; The proposal document for the World Wide Web is submitted; The Exxon Valdez oil tanker ru ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 5, , 37.8, , .565, , .000, , .769, , 4.2, , 4.0, , 2.2, , .8, , 19.6 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1992 File:1992 Events Collage V1.png, From left, clockwise: Riots break out across Los Angeles, California after the police beating of Rodney King; El Al Flight 1862 crashes into a residential apartment building in Amsterdam after two of its engines ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 5, , 41.2, , .448, , .111, , .786, , 6.4, , 4.6, , 1.0, , .8, , 18.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1993 File:1993 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The Oslo I Accord is signed in an attempt to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict; The Russian White House is shelled during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis; Czechoslovakia is peace ...

, style="text-align:left;",

, 5, , 5, , 34.8, , .474, , .500, , .647, , 4.0, , 3.2, , 3.0, , 2.0, , 18.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

1995 File:1995 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman from the year prior in "The Trial of the Century" in the United States; The Great Hanshin earthquake strike ...

, style="text-align:left;",

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, 6, , 0, , 6.7, , .429, , .000, , .000, , 1.0, , .7, , .5, , .2, , 2.0 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;",

1996 File:1996 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: A bomb explodes at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, set off by a radical anti-abortionist; The center fuel tank explodes on TWA Flight 800, causing the plane to crash and killing everyone on b ...

† , style="text-align:left;",

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

, 18, , 16, , 27.4, , .425, , .319, , .690, , 3.7, , 2.5, , 1.4, , .4, , 8.8 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;",

1997 File:1997 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The movie set of ''Titanic'', the highest-grossing movie in history at the time; ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'', is published; Comet Hale-Bopp passes by Earth and becomes one of ...

† , style="text-align:left;",

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, 19, , 19, , 27.1, , .400, , .344, , .750, , 4.3, , 3.0, , 1.3, , .7, , 7.5 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;",

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently s ...

† , style="text-align:left;",

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, 21, , 21, , 26.8, , .459, , .263, , .615, , 3.7, , 2.3, , 1.0, , .9, , 6.7 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;",

2000 File:2000 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Protests against Bush v. Gore after the 2000 United States presidential election; Heads of state meet for the Millennium Summit; The International Space Station in its infant form as seen from ...

† , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 23, , 23, , 28.0, , .431, , .231, , .702, , 3.7, , 3.2, , 1.0, , .6, , 8.6 , - , style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;",

2001 The September 11 attacks against the United States by Al-Qaeda, which killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror, were a defining event of 2001. The United States led a multi-national coalition in an invasion of Afghanistan ...

† , style="text-align:left;", L.A. Lakers , 6, , 0, , 7.0, , .500, , .250, , .667, , 1.3, , .7, , .7, , .2, , 2.2 , - , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2" , Career , 112, , 98, , 26.8, , .450, , .292, , .698, , 3.7, , 2.7, , 1.3, , .7, , 9.0

Coaching career

In 2005, Harper signed as an assistant coach for the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at L ...

. His two-year deal was not renewed in 2007.

Media appearances

On November 1, 1997, Ron Harper appeared in the

Nickelodeon Nickelodeon (often shortened to Nick) is an American pay television television channel, channel which launched on April 1, 1979, as the first cable channel for children. It is run by Paramount Global through its List of assets owned by Param ...

sitcom A sitcom, a Portmanteau, portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troup ...

Kenan & Kel ''Kenan & Kel'' is an American buddy comedy sitcom created by Kim Bass. The show originally aired on the Nickelodeon network for four seasons, from July 15, 1996, to July 15, 2000. Set in Chicago, Illinois, the series follows mischievous Kenan ...

'', in the episode titled "Foul Bull". In the episode, Harper, as a Chicago Bull, slips on some orange soda and gets injured, and all of Chicago is angry with Kenan and Kel, who try to apologize.

Personal life

Harper has battled

stuttering Stuttering, also known as stammering, is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words, or phrases as well as involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the ...

for most of his life, and donates his time to the National Stuttering Association to encourage others with this problem to not let it hinder them. Harper is the father of NBA player Ron Harper Jr. and Don Bosco Prep high school basketball player Dylan Harper. He is the godfather to

R. J. Hunter Ronald Jordan Hunter (born October 24, 1993) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Sydney Kings of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). Hunter played college basketball for the Georgia State Panthers un ...

References

External links

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SLAM magazine article
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harper, Ron 1964 births Living people 20th-century African-American sportspeople 21st-century African-American people African-American basketball coaches African-American basketball players All-American college men's basketball players American men's basketball players Basketball players from Dayton, Ohio Chicago Bulls players Cleveland Cavaliers draft picks Cleveland Cavaliers players Detroit Pistons assistant coaches Los Angeles Clippers players Los Angeles Lakers players Miami RedHawks men's basketball players Point guards Shooting guards Small forwards Stuttering Universiade medalists in basketball Universiade silver medalists for the United States

Early life

College career

Professional career

Cleveland Cavaliers (1986–1989)

Los Angeles Clippers (1989–1994)

Chicago Bulls (1994–1999)

Los Angeles Lakers (1999–2001)

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Coaching career

Media appearances

Personal life

See also

References

External links