Profile Pic: Jared Harper
The history with Austin Wiley, what Bruce Pearl said about him, and the posters he can deliver despite his relatively short height. An introduction to your new point guard.
25/07/2024
| 11:00
| Magazine
This was a press conference that Auburn University still remembers today. At the center of the table was Bruce Pearl, the legendary college coach. To his left was Austin Wiley, a center pursued by every Division 1 team but chose to study at Auburn to follow in his parents' footsteps. To his right was Jared Harper, a 1.78m point guard. This happened after Auburn's victory over the University of Alabama, and Jared Harper finished an unforgettable evening with 31 points. Pearl, a bundle of charisma and a master of words, launched into a monologue.
"We have Jared Harper, and they don’t. This happens often against many teams. We have him, and they don’t. It’s a huge compliment to Jared, as he managed to take control of the game at a time when we’re still trying to find our way with rotations. As evidenced by the fact that Austin received too few touches, but when Jared is there for us, it makes everything easier."
Pearl wasn’t speaking in vain. In many cases and with most of the teams where Jared Harper played, everything seemed easy. Maybe it was the defenders of the opponents, who almost naturally tend to underestimate a 1.78m point guard, but when they get the first poster to their face, after a crazy leap given his size, they begin to understand.
"We have Jared Harper, and they don’t."
Throughout his life, Jared Harper worked hard to turn his disadvantage into an advantage. He was born on September 14, 1997, in Mableton, Georgia, and before he decided that basketball was his true path, he actually invested his time in playing the saxophone. From the beginning, he played against older and taller boys. This didn’t prevent him from excelling and receiving scholarship offers from across the United States, ultimately choosing Auburn.
In three years in college, he posted consistent double-digit scoring averages. In his senior year, he averaged 15.3 points along with 5.7 assists, 1 steal per game, and 37% from beyond the arc. Scouts were impressed, but he was ultimately not selected in the 2019 draft. Nevertheless, after diligent work and excellent performances in the Summer League, he secured an unguaranteed contract with Phoenix. He later moved to the Knicks and New Orleans (where he averaged 7.4 points in 8 minutes over 5 games) and played a total of 16 games in the NBA. In the meantime, Harper made a name for himself in the G League, where he demonstrated absolute dominance between 2019-2022 with averages of 21 points, 6.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 38.4% from three. Also, 3 rebounds per game, despite his height.
And then came the move to Europe
But Jared was done with unguaranteed contracts and decided to try his luck overseas. Valencia was the first to recognize the potential, and during his two years with the "Bats," he recorded 53 appearances in the EuroLeague with an average of almost 10 points over two years. One should remember the very deep rotations common in Spain, and Harper recorded these averages in only about 17 minutes per game during his two years in the EuroLeague.
In an interview with "BasketNews" during his time at Valencia, he said: "I didn’t expect every possession to be so decisive in Europe. I played and watched a lot of NBA. It doesn’t have that intensity. In the EuroLeague, you have to be at your best every night, otherwise you’ll lose." His standout game was against Maccabi Tel Aviv in February 2023, with 20 points and 4 three-pointers.
Jared Harper against Maccabi Tel Aviv
So what can Jared Harper bring to Hapoel? It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. When needed, Harper can be a scorer who carries the team on his back. And he does it in many ways: steady three-point shooting, excellent driving ability, and a deadly mid-range jumper. On the other hand, seeing him create for others is a visual delight, with phenomenal court vision. Undoubtedly, Harper’s X-factor is his athleticism and explosiveness. You wouldn’t expect a 1.78m guard to dunk on people, but Harper does it, and often, and beautifully.
Jared Harper
All of these can serve Hapoel in several ways. He can manage the game from the point guard position, but his shooting ability will also allow him to function as a guard alongside Speedy Smith or Noam Dovrat. Defensively, his agility allows him to pressure the ball like Jonathan Alon likes, and of course, the previous experience with Austin Wiley will greatly assist in utilizing the new big man. All these lead to the conclusion and hope for all of us: the small will be great.
"We have Jared Harper, and they don’t. This happens often against many teams. We have him, and they don’t. It’s a huge compliment to Jared, as he managed to take control of the game at a time when we’re still trying to find our way with rotations. As evidenced by the fact that Austin received too few touches, but when Jared is there for us, it makes everything easier."
Pearl wasn’t speaking in vain. In many cases and with most of the teams where Jared Harper played, everything seemed easy. Maybe it was the defenders of the opponents, who almost naturally tend to underestimate a 1.78m point guard, but when they get the first poster to their face, after a crazy leap given his size, they begin to understand.
"We have Jared Harper, and they don’t."Throughout his life, Jared Harper worked hard to turn his disadvantage into an advantage. He was born on September 14, 1997, in Mableton, Georgia, and before he decided that basketball was his true path, he actually invested his time in playing the saxophone. From the beginning, he played against older and taller boys. This didn’t prevent him from excelling and receiving scholarship offers from across the United States, ultimately choosing Auburn.
In three years in college, he posted consistent double-digit scoring averages. In his senior year, he averaged 15.3 points along with 5.7 assists, 1 steal per game, and 37% from beyond the arc. Scouts were impressed, but he was ultimately not selected in the 2019 draft. Nevertheless, after diligent work and excellent performances in the Summer League, he secured an unguaranteed contract with Phoenix. He later moved to the Knicks and New Orleans (where he averaged 7.4 points in 8 minutes over 5 games) and played a total of 16 games in the NBA. In the meantime, Harper made a name for himself in the G League, where he demonstrated absolute dominance between 2019-2022 with averages of 21 points, 6.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 38.4% from three. Also, 3 rebounds per game, despite his height.
And then came the move to EuropeBut Jared was done with unguaranteed contracts and decided to try his luck overseas. Valencia was the first to recognize the potential, and during his two years with the "Bats," he recorded 53 appearances in the EuroLeague with an average of almost 10 points over two years. One should remember the very deep rotations common in Spain, and Harper recorded these averages in only about 17 minutes per game during his two years in the EuroLeague.
In an interview with "BasketNews" during his time at Valencia, he said: "I didn’t expect every possession to be so decisive in Europe. I played and watched a lot of NBA. It doesn’t have that intensity. In the EuroLeague, you have to be at your best every night, otherwise you’ll lose." His standout game was against Maccabi Tel Aviv in February 2023, with 20 points and 4 three-pointers.
Jared Harper against Maccabi Tel AvivSo what can Jared Harper bring to Hapoel? It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. When needed, Harper can be a scorer who carries the team on his back. And he does it in many ways: steady three-point shooting, excellent driving ability, and a deadly mid-range jumper. On the other hand, seeing him create for others is a visual delight, with phenomenal court vision. Undoubtedly, Harper’s X-factor is his athleticism and explosiveness. You wouldn’t expect a 1.78m guard to dunk on people, but Harper does it, and often, and beautifully.
Jared Harper
All of these can serve Hapoel in several ways. He can manage the game from the point guard position, but his shooting ability will also allow him to function as a guard alongside Speedy Smith or Noam Dovrat. Defensively, his agility allows him to pressure the ball like Jonathan Alon likes, and of course, the previous experience with Austin Wiley will greatly assist in utilizing the new big man. All these lead to the conclusion and hope for all of us: the small will be great.
