While Bruce Pearl’s Auburn basketball team continues to rise in the rankings, former Auburn stars are making waves in the pros. With four players currently on the active rosters in the NBA–Sharife Cooper on the Hawks, Chuma Okeke on the Magic, Isaac Okoro on the Hawks, and J.T. Thor on the Hornets–the Tigers are quickly becoming well represented in the big leagues.
In addition to the NBA, Auburn basketball also has four former players working their way up in the NBA G-League. Malik Dunbar plays for the Agua Caliente Clippers, Samir Doughty plays for the Lakeland Magic, and Bryce Brown plays for the Long Island Nets.
Until today, Jared Harper played for the Birmingham Squadron, but it was announced this morning that the New Orleans Pelicans will be adding the point guard on a 10-day contract.
The New Orleans Pelicans are signing guard Jared Harper of NBA G League Birmingham on a two-way contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2021
The addition of Harper comes in the wake of former Alabama basketball player Kira Lewis Jr. tearing his right ACL, leading to the Pelicans’ application for Disabled Player Exemption.
Harper was signed to the Pelicans’ training roster back in September after spending time with the team during informal workouts, and has been extremely succesful on the Birmingham Squadron, averaging 21.2 points, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals in addition to shooting 40.6 percent from behind the arc. He’s also logged 35 plus points in multiple games this season.
The New Orleans Pelicans currently rank last in the Western Conference, with 10 wins and 21 losses so far this season. With all the injuries on the Pelicans’ roster, now is the perfect time for Harper to get his shot in the NBA.
The Pelicans will take on the Portland Trailblazers at home tonight at 7:00 p.m. central time, and it’s very possible we see Jared Harper check in for New Orleans.