Celtics’ Two-Way Player Shines With Career-High In G League Win
Ron Harper Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics earlier this summer. He filled the roster spot that was created when rookie RJ Luis Jr. was waived by the team. Harper Jr. has spent two seasons fighting for a spot with the Celtics, having participated in the team’s 2024 and 2025 training camps.
The 25-year-old forward has suited up for three NBA games this season, averaging 2.7 points and one rebound in an average of five minutes per game. However, down in the G League, he’s been an offensive force for the Maine Celtics.
On Friday, Harper Jr. continued his strong G League performances, notching a career-high 46 points, including a game-winning shot as the Maine Celtics overcame the Delaware Blue Coats 113-111. It was Maine’s third straight win.
Under Brad Stevens, the Celtics have turned their two-way contracts into a developmental pathway to the main roster. Sam Hauser initially signed a two-way contract with the team as an undrafted rookie before earning himself a spot on the main roster. Neemias Queta followed a similar route as well.
If Harper Jr. continues to produce at such a high level, he could be the next success story to come out of Maine. In his first five games of the G League season, he’s averaging 29.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4 assists per night. He’s shooting 48% from the field and 36.2% from deep.
Of course, Harper Jr. has to continue putting in the work if he wants to earn a spot in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation, and that’s something former Celtic-turned-coach Phil Pressey has been stressing to the 6-foot-6 forward.
“Ron Harper goes from playing in the G League one night, getting 28-30 points, playing 40 minutes, to going to the NBA to not playing at all or playing very little,” Maine head coach Phil Pressey recently told Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog. “In the G League, his usage rate is extremely high. Then, he goes to the NBA, and it drops dramatically. You have to be adaptable. So, that’s something that we talk about on a daily basis.”
Given the talent on Boston’s main roster, Harper Jr. faces an uphill battle to secure a full-time NBA contract. Nevertheless, his performances for Maine will force the coaching staff to take notice. If he can sustain this production throughout the G League season, he could give himself a chance to earn an NBA spot in the near future, either with Boston or elsewhere in the league.