Just days after the Boston Celtics signed Ron Harper Jr. to a two-year standard NBA contract, the 25-year-old wing has been honored for an impressive G-League season. On Tuesday, the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, announced that Harper Jr. had been named to the All-NBA G League Third Team.
The honor recognizes his breakout year in Maine, as he averaged 25.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks in 18 games. He earned a spot on the Celtics’ main roster as his dynamic two-way game was evident all through the season.
Ron Harper Jr.’s Breakthrough Contract
The timing is perfect for Harper Jr., who had just secured his first guaranteed NBA deal after playing a two-way contract all through the season. Boston made the contract signing official over the weekend converting the 25-year-old star from his two-way deal to a multi-year standard agreement.
Harper Jr. is expected to receive $2.7 million in this new deal and it keeps Boston under the luxury-tax threshold for now while making the guard playoff-eligible. Going undrafted in 2022, Harper Jr. has played a total of 11 NBA games with zero starts before this season. He has spent the majority of his career so far in the G League and this new deal is a massive step up for him.
GettyRon Harper Jr. of the Boston Celtics
Harper Jr first signed with the Toronto Raptors on a two-way deal but was waived in December 2023. He then signed for Boston after a summer league trial before being moved to their G League affiliates. Another two-way deal with the Detroit Pistons didn’t yield any result, and he was back in Boston in the summer of 2025.
A New, Professional Environment For the Rising Guard
Harper Jr. featured 27 times for Boston this season averaging just 3.3 points on 10 minutes a night. He has toggled the majority of this season for Maine.
Boston is keying into his two-way game and high defensive upside. He has shown flashes during his garbage minutes in the NBA, including a career-high 22-point night on 8-for-11 shooting against the San Antonio Spurs in March. That performance convinced the front office that he deserved the security.
Harper Jr. joins Amari Williams and Max Shulga as the third player the Celtics have converted from a two-way player to the standard roster. He will now join his younger brother, Dylan, as an NBA pro after he was selected second overall by the Spurs in the 2025 draft.
Boston has a pressure-packed postseason ahead of it and Harper could be a piece the team could turn to for a boost. Led by a now healthy Jayson Tatum and league MVP candidate Jaylen Brown, the Celtics have the top end talent to compete even if they aren’t as deep as they were when they won the title two years ago.
Harper Jr. can eventually become one of those crucial depth pieces Boston brings off the bench for a fast spark in the coming years.
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder showed the league last year what tremendous depth can deliver in a long playoff run. It’s why they are favorites to repeat as champions.
Harper Jr. will seek to continue coming into his own now that he has a guaranteed roster spot on one of the best teams in the world.
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