Celtics breakout just earned an All-Star Weekend honor nobody saw coming

Ron Harper Jr. is among those who will represent the G League at this year's Rising Stars Game at NBA All-Star Weekend. He is one of only seven players who received that honor.

Now in his second stint with the Boston Celtics' organization, Harper, who is on a two-way deal, has been among the best players in the G League this season. He is averaging 26.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his appearances with Maine.

The former Rutgers star's selection gives him a chance to square off against his brother, Dylan Harper. The San Antonio Spurs made the promising 19-year-old guard the second-overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

"It'll be a fun day," said Ron Harper Jr. while discussing his latest recognition before the Celtics' 102-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. "Me and Dylan, we'll get to go at it. It'll be a good little family affair."

Ron Harper Jr.'s growth within the Celtics' infrastructure

With his shoulder healthy and his mind at peace, the 25-year-old wing is able to showcase even more than he did in his first go-around with the Celtics' organization.

One area that's easy to spot is his increased effectiveness from beyond the arc. Harper is knocking down over 40.2 percent of the 10.9 3-point attempts he's hoisting.

"Shooting the ball, probably the best I have in my career," he said when asked about what part of his game has grown the most this season. "So, I would say shooting the ball is coming around well, just being able to be versatile, being able to handle the ball on offense, and being able to guard multiple positions on defense. I feel like that's something I've really gotten better at this year."

A figure who has helped spur Harper's development is Phil Pressey, Maine's first-year head coach.

"Playing for Phil is great," conveyed Harper from the Celtics' locker room. "He's a guy that knows the ropes. Played in Maine, played with the Celtics, so he kind of knows the life, and he offers real good insight for me, Amari [Williams], and Max [Shulga]. You know, just how to keep getting better, just how to keep your mindset right. So it's been great playing for him. He understands the players, and he's a real good player-coach, and he pushes us in the right way."

Harper has also performed well in his opportunities with the parent club. That includes productive minutes in a recent first-half appearance during Boston's double-overtime victory vs. the Brooklyn Nets.

It's an opportunity he earned with his professionalism.

"It's just trust," said Joe Mazzulla while discussing Harper's selection to the Rising Stars Game. "I watch him work out when he's with us. The other side of that is the professionalism. When he gets there early, he's in the weight room doing what he's supposed to be doing. He's in the treatment room if he needs to be. He communicates at a high level. So there's just a level of trust there."