RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesRon Harper Jr. Ready to Continue Growth Following Celtics Extension: 'I’m Ready to Put The Work In' originally appeared on NESN .
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As a kid, Ron Harper Jr. spent years being around the league’s best. Now, he will have a chance to play with them for as long as he can.
Harper signed a four-year, $14 million extension with the Celtics in the offseason, securing long-term assurance for the first time.
Harper only appeared in 11 games between Toronto and the Pistons. After multiple Exhibit 10 contracts, he earned a two-way contract with the Celtics before graduating to a standard one.
Averaging 11 minutes in 29 games with Boston last season, Harper scored 4.2 points per game and had 0.8 assists. With Jayson Tatum out in the beginning due to injury, the Celtics made the playoffs thanks to the efforts of Jaylen Brown.
The passion the fans bring, along with the talent and history the Celtics have, excites Harper, someone ready to show he earned the contract.
“It felt really rewarding,” Harper said via NBA.com . “This is a team that I have a lot of respect for, a team that I want to play for for a long time. So, for it to happen in a city like this, playing for a team like the Boston Celtics, I’m honored, and I’m ready to put the work in.”
The son of multi-time NBA Champion Ron Harper, the 26-year-old Harper quickly established himself as one of the G-League's top players with the Maine Celtics before joining the team in Boston. Playing key minutes, Harper had a few breakout games, like scoring 22 against the Spurs in March and 27 against the Magic on his birthday.
Harper had a true career moment in the playoffs last season. In Game 7 of the first-round series against the 76ers, Harper was added to the starting lineup. He only played a few minutes but had multiple steals, adding some positives to a loss.
Harper’s immediate future is secured. The opportunity to continue his growth and add to his family legacy by winning his own championship ring with the Celtics entices him. It’s up to him to take advantage.
“I feel like after that game (27 against Magic) where I started – I played all those minutes, and I played well – I felt like after that point, I could be a real contributor to this team and a part of bringing this team back to a championship,” Harper said. “So that’s something I look forward to doing next year.”
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