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John Harper Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Harper Jr.
ハーパージュニア
Harper with the Sunrockers
No. 3 – Tokyo Sunrockers
PositionPoint guard
LeagueB.League
Personal information
Born (2003-02-09) February 9, 2003 (age 23)
Okinawa, Japan
Listed height181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Listed weight82 kg (181 lb)
Career information
High schoolFukuoka Daiichi
CollegeTokai
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021Ryukyu Golden Kings
2023Gunma Crane Thunders
2024–presentTokyo Sunrockers
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Japan
Asian Games
Silver medal – second place2026 Aichi–NagoyaTeam

John Lawrence Harper Jr.[a] is a Japanese basketball player who plays for the Tokyo Sunrockers of the B.League.

Early life and education

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John Harper Jr. was born on 9 February 2003 in the Okinawa Prefecture to an American father and a Japanese mother.[4][5][6] He attended the Okinawa Municipal Koza Junior High School in Okinawa City.[5]

Harper then studied at the Fukuoka Daiichi High School, where he played for the schoo's basketball team.[6] He also attended Tokai University.[7]

Club career

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B.League special designated player and college career

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The Ryukyu Golden Kings of the B.League on January 2021 announced Harper to be their special designated player.[5] Harper debuted on February 6, 2021, at 17 years, 11 months, and 28 days old, becoming the youngest player to appear in a B.League game. The following day, he set another age record by becoming the youngest player to score in the league.[4]

After his stint with Ryuku, Harper enrolled with Tokai University in April 2021. He joined the Gunma Crane Thunders in January 2023.[8]

The Sunrockers Shibuya announced Harper joined the team in January 2024 to help them in the latter stages of the 2023–24 season.[2][7]

Shibuya/Tokyo Sunrockers

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Harper started his professional career by signing a contract with the Sunrockers Shibuya in December 2024, in the middle of the 2024–25 season. At the time, he was still a student at Tokai University and was expected to graduate in March 2025.[2]

National team

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Harper has been part of the Japan youth national team program as early as 2018.[8][9] He played for the Japan U19 team in the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Latvia.[4]

He made his debut for the Japan senior national team in the February 2025 window of the qualifiers of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.[4]

At the 2026 Asian Games, held in Japan, Harper helped Japan reach the final, where they lost to South Korea, earning a silver medal.[10][11]

Notes

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  1. ↑ In Japanese, John Lawrence Harper Jr.'s name is rendered as Jan Rōrensu Hāpājunia (ジャン・ローレンス・ハーパージュニア). This is his registered name in the B.League.[1] Prior to the 2025–26 B.League season, his registered name is Harper John Lawrence Jr. (ハーパー・ジャン・ローレンス・ジュニア)[2][3]

References

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  1. ↑ "ジャン・ローレンス・ハーパージュニア". B.League. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "ハーパー・ジャン・ローレンス・ジュニア選手 加入のお知らせ" [Announcement of Harper John Lawrence Jr.'s Signing] (in Japanese). Tokyo Sunrockers. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  3. ↑ "ジャン・ローレンス・ハーパージュニア選手 契約締結および登録名変更のお知らせ" [Announcement Regarding Contract Signing and Change of Registered Name for John Lawrence Harper Jr.] (in Japanese). Tokyo Sunrockers. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "John Harper Jr. arrives in style on debut". FIBA. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "#31ハーパー ジャン ジュニア選手 加入(特別指定選手)のお知らせ" [Announcement: Signing of Harper John Jr. (Special Designated Player)] (in Japanese). Ryukyu Golden Kings. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  6. 1 2 Nagatsuka, Kaz (28 December 2020). "Diversity on display on court during All-Japan High School Tournament". The Japan Times. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  7. 1 2 "ハーパー・ジャン・ローレンス・ジュニア選手加入（特別指定選手）のお知らせ" [Announcement: Harper John Lawrence Jr. Joins the Team (Special Designated Player)]. Tokyo Sunrockers (in Japanese). 16 January 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  8. 1 2 "ハーパー・ジャン・ローレンス・ジュニア 選手 加入（特別指定選手）のお知らせ" [Announcement: Signing of Harper John Jr. (Special Designated Player)] (in Japanese). Gunma Crane Thunders. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  9. ↑ "沖縄県勢、バスケットU-16日本代表入り　男子・ローレンスと女子・伊波" [Two Okinawan players selected for the U-16 Japan national basketball team: Lawrence (boys) and Iha (girls).] (in Japanese). The Ryukyu Shinpo. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "S. Korea beats Japan for men's basketball gold". The Korea Times. Yonhap. 20 September 2026. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "Korea reclaims Asian basketball crown, defeats Japan 65-57". Chosun Biz. 20 September 2026. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
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