ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Filipino-American guard Ron Harper Jr. of the Boston Celtics is raring to make the most out of his opportunity to grow his game under an Exhibit 10 deal.
The deal, which is a training camp invite, could lead into a spot for the Maine Celtics, the team’s G League affiliate, which could yield dividends for him in the future.
“No pressure. I’m blessed with the opportunity to be able to learn with a bunch of guys that just won the NBA championship,” Harper told Rappler during practice day of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024.
“[Boston is the] best organization in the league to learn from and be around, to soak in here, it’s been an honor,” the 6-foot-4 Celtics addition said.
Harper, the son of NBA legend and former Chicago Bulls guard Ron Harper and Filipina wife Maria Pizarro, turned heads during the NBA Summer League for Boston, resulting in a deal last July.
The Rutgers alumnus had already suited up for the Toronto Raptors and their G League affiliate Raptors 905, with the NBA squad waiving him in December 2023.
Embracing his Filipino roots
Harper’s athletic background not only comes from his five-time NBA champion father, but also from his mother, who played NCAA Division 1 basketball, and maternal grandfather, who played jai-alai pelota.
The Filipino influence, according to the 24-year-old Harper, has been quite strong.
“I’m really in touch with my Filipino heritage. My coach, my mom’s side is from Manila, the Philippines. I definitely stay in contact with a lot of them, [and also like] Filipino dishes,” said Harper, sharing that he loves chicken adobo and rice.
“I’m definitely in touch with my Filipino culture. Hopefully, I get to the Philippines next summer.”
The Filipino community in Toronto also expressed its support for him during his stay there.
“I came in contact with a lot of Filipinos in Toronto, so I know how much they love the game and how much they appreciate basketball.”
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— ℙ𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕡 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝 (@philipptionary) October 3, 2024
Ron Harper, Jr., who is half-Filipino, talks about embracing his heritage.
Harper Jr. is currently on an Exhibit 10 deal with the Boston Celtics. | @RapplerSports pic.twitter.com/FJ0afj8ujx
– Rappler.com