Ron Harper Jr.’s path to securing a long-term future in the NBA wasn’t built on immediate stardom, but on resilience, patience, and a relentless commitment to doing things the right way. After going undrafted out of Rutgers and navigating two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 deals and G League assignments between Toronto and Detroit, Harper Jr. has officially locked in his home.

Following a standout 2025–26 campaign where he earned rotational trust with the Boston Celtics—averaging 4.2 points in 11 minutes per game while shooting 35% from deep across 29 regular-season appearances—Boston rewarded his growth by signing him to a four-year contract worth up to $13.7 million ($6.5 million guaranteed).

In an exclusive sit-down with ScoopB.com, Ron Harper Jr. opens up about finding stability in Boston, giving up jersey No. 13 to new teammate Paul George, and the lasting impact Jaylen Brown had on his growth both on and off the court.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Congratulations on your new deal.

Ron Harper Jr.: Thank you.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How cool is it to be locked in now with the Celtics?

Ron Harper Jr.: It’s great. You know, being a guy that kind of bounced around his first couple years, to finally find a home with one of the most well-respected organizations in the league, you know, so it’s a pleasure. Very excited about it, very happy to be there.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As a fan of the game, what were your earliest recollections of the Celtics?

Ron Harper Jr.: My earliest, like my first basketball memories, is when my dad coached the Pistons in like 2007. So like, I remember that whole era. Like I remember Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen on the Celtics. So that’s like my first core memory, like watching them at Palace, watching them play against like Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and those guys. So, I remember there was always a good team, it was always a good game whenever they came to Detroit. So, those are my first like recollections of the Celtics.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You talked about your dad being an assistant with the Pistons. So, you were around Sheed, Chauncey, Rip… What was that experience like for you?

Ron Harper Jr.: It was great, cause like none of those guys are like quote-unquote superstars, but like they were all superstars in their own right. Like they knew how to play, and no matter whose night it was, you know, they were all supportive of each other. And I feel like that showed me how to play the game the right way. Like they were very willing to ride the hot hand, and it was never ever only about one person; it was about the whole team. And that being like my earliest recollection of basketball, I feel like that’s really stuck with me through and through.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Carmelo Anthony has said to me that Paul George—and it’s not just him, it’s other players that have said it—Paul George is like the archetype of today’s player. And I feel like that gets lost in translation, because I hear people say he’s a taller Kyrie in some respects. What’s your relationship like with him, and how do you think that’ll help in Boston?

Ron Harper Jr.: Oh man, I’m very excited to play with PG, learn from him. I haven’t had the chance to like to talk to him in person yet, but we’ve talked and, you know, I’m just really excited to have a vet that’s, you know, been through what he’s been through. Like you said, people say he’s a taller Kyrie. Paul George was Dylan’s favorite player when he was younger. Like we literally have 10, maybe 20 Paul George jerseys just sitting around at the house, all in Dylan’s size when he was a kid. So it’s just a really cool, full-circle moment by how he came to Boston. You know, I got off of 13, let him have his number back, cause I know that’s his number. So hopefully we start our relationship off on the right foot, but I’m just really looking forward to learning a lot from him.

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Can you tell me more about that? Was it you just gladly did it? Did he… What was that process like giving up 13?

Ron Harper Jr.: We came to a mutual agreement. So that helped both of us out, you know. He got to have the number, and I got to have a good summer. So, shout out PG!

Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Will you miss Jaylen?

Ron Harper Jr.: Yeah, for sure. I’ll definitely miss Jaylen, you know. That’s a great guy. He still trusted me when I was an Exhibit 10 player in Boston, so just his guidance and his words of encouragement, I really liked. It meant a lot to me, especially in Boston. He always trusted me whenever I was on the floor with him and shared the floor, and he showed me a lot of things about the game. And like, I feel like the best thing he showed me is how to use your platform to take care of your community. You know, he was a real big piece of the Boston community, and I know Boston will miss him, and we will too. But, you know, happy for him and I’m excited to see what he does, just not against the guys in green.

Wrapping Up 

For Ron Harper Jr., finding stability in Boston is more than just securing a new deal—it’s the culmination of years of trusting the process. Growing up in NBA locker rooms watching his father coach the historic 2000s Pistons, Harper Jr. absorbed early on that winning basketball requires sacrifice, versatility, and unselfishness. That mindset carried him from an Exhibit 10 longshot to an essential piece of the Celtics’ culture.

From navigating the veteran dynamics of passing his number off to Paul George to honoring the community blueprint left behind by Jaylen Brown, Harper Jr. transitions from searching for a foot in the door to establishing himself as a reliable fixture in Boston. As he steps into his next chapter alongside seasoned stars, the 26-year-old forward has proven that the journey—no matter how winding—is always worth the payoff when you finally find a place to call home.