In an Instagram post on Saturday, the 6-foot-6 Filipino-American declared for the draft while still keeping his college eligibility status as he goes through the league evaluation process.
“I will be entering my name into the 2021 NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility,” he wrote.
May 31 (PHT) is the deadline for an early entry player to apply for this year’s draft while the draft combine is set from June 22 to 28. Harper Jr., an early entrant, can withdraw his application until July 20, ten days before the draft on July 30.
Harper Jr. grew up with the game with the guidance of his father and Filipina mother Maria Pizzaro. The elder Harper enjoyed a 15-year NBA career after getting drafted as the 8th overall pick in the 1986 Draft. He suited up for four teams and won five championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.
Harper Jr. will try to carve his own path in the NBA after being with the Scarlet Knights men’s basketball program for the last three years. A team that competes in the Big Ten Conference in NCAA Division I, the Scarlet Knights finally broke a 30-year tournament drought by barging into the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament as the 10-seed before falling short in the second round. Harper Jr. played a vital role for his team this season with averages of 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds.
“My family, coaches, and teammates push me to become the best version of myself everyday on and off the court. I couldn’t thank them enough for shaping me into the man I am today,” said Harper Jr., who played 89 career games at Rutgers.
"This has been a lifelong dream of mine that Rutgers University has put me in the position to chase. Thank you Rutgers Nation for your support. Go RU,” he concluded.
