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Who is Derek Harper?
Derek Harper, a retired American professional basketball player, and 16-year NBA veteran has built a name for himself in the basketball world. Harper, known for his guarding and quick scoring abilities, is still the Dallas Mavericks’ career leader in steals and assists.
Derek’s remarkable professional basketball career began when the Dallas Mavericks drafted him in the 1983 NBA Draft.
Derek Harper Derek Harper Harper Derek has spent his 16-year NBA career with clubs such as the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Furthermore, let’s learn more about Derek Harper, the famous Maverick’s Legend, but first, let’s look at some of Derek’s short facts.
Derek Harper | Childhood, Family, and Education
Derek Harper, a sixteen-year professional player, was born on October 13, 1961, in Elberton, Georgia, to his proud mother, Wilma Harper.
Derek has not yet shared anything about his father with any outside outlets.
Derek also had a difficult childhood because his mother was a single mother who worked two jobs.
As a result, Derek and his nine siblings were reared in West Palm Beach, Florida, primarily by their single mother.
During Derek’s jersey retirement ceremony, Wilma became unwell and was admitted to the hospital.
Harper claims that his mother witnessed the entire ceremony on television in her hospital room.
Furthermore, Derek’s mother died the next morning at the age of 79 after witnessing the event.
During his jersey retirement speech, Harper stated-
“I have a very pious mother; she prays for me at all times, so thank you, mom, for your prayers, wisdom, and, most importantly, teaching me to love my adversaries.”
Derek was born under the solar sign of Libra, according to his birthdate.
Libra men are noted for their ability to remain calm, collected, and cheerful.
Age, Height, and Body Dimensions
Derek will be [calculate years datestring=”10/13/1961′′] years old in 2022.
Harper’s height and weight are reported as 6’4″ (1.93 m) and 185 pounds (84 kgs).
Harper, on the other hand, has an athletic frame, brown eyes, and black hair.
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Education
Harper first attended and graduated from Roosevelt Junior High School in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Harper went on to graduate from North Shore High School in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Derek attended the University of Illinois and played three seasons for the Illinois athletic team, the Fighting Illini.
Furthermore, under head coach Lou Henson, Harper enjoyed his best season in 1982-1983.
Derek led the club in scoring with 15.4 points per game this season.
Harper was named Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten in 1983 as a result of his outstanding performance.
Derek was also an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection in 1981 and 1982.
Furthermore, Harper averaged 4.7 assists per game during his college career.
He also led the Big Ten Conference in assists from 1981 to 1982.
Similarly, Derek was named to the Illini Men’s Basketball All-Century Team in 2004.
Derek Harper | Profession and Career
Mavericks of Dallas
Derek was selected 11th overall by the Dalla Mavericks in the 1983 NBA draft at the height of 6’4″.
Harper averaged 6.1 assists and 15 points during his debut season with the Mavericks.
Furthermore, during his first stint with the organization, Derek shared the starting backcourt with All-Star Shooting Guard Rolando Blackman.
During Derek’s time with the Mavericks, the team made the playoffs six out of ten years and reached the Western Conference Finals in 1987-1988.
The Mavericks were never able to recreate the same success they had while Derek was on the team, which is why Derek Harper is known as the Maverick’s Legend to this day.
Furthermore, Derek has averaged over 10 points per game over numerous seasons, making him one of the greatest defenders and scorers of all time.
Harper had his greatest season in 1990-1991 when he averaged 19.7 points per game.
Despite his outstanding record, he was not named to the All-Star team, and Dallas finished the season with a record of 28-54.
Nonetheless, Derek played well throughout the remainder of his contract in Dallas, although the club was terrible at the time.
Similarly, the Mavericks concluded the 1992-1993 season with an 11-71 record, one of their worst results to that point.
Derek stayed with the Dallas Mavericks for two more seasons before leaving during the 1993-1994 season.
Knicks of New York
Derek was moved by the Dallas Mavericks to the New York Knicks, where he reunited with Rolando Blackman.
The transaction occurred after the season’s first 28 games in 1993-1994.
Derek was chosen by the Knicks to replace injured defensive point guard Doc Rivers for the remainder of the season.
Harper was traded from the club that finished 13-69 to the team that won the NBA Championship in 1994 when he played a vital component.
Furthermore, Harper’s stats dropped as he adjusted to not having an individual position in the club.
Derek’s best season as a member of the New York Knicks came in his final year with the team.
Harper averaged 14.0 points per game that season.
As a result, Derek was released by the New York Knicks on July 14, 1996.
Harper became a free agent in the NBA after his release.
Go back to Dallas
Harper returned to the Dallas Mavericks after becoming a free agent after signing with them on July 26, 1996.
Furthermore, Derek’s return averaged 4.3 APG and 10.0 PPG.
Harper was 35 years old and playing well at the time.
However, the team was still terrible, finishing the season with only 24 wins.
Similarly, the 1996-1997 NBA season marked Derek’s final season with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Orlando Magic
In addition, following Derek’s second tenure with the Mavericks, they transferred Harper and Ed O’Bannon to the Orlando Magic in return for Dennis Scott and some cash.
Harper spent one season with the Orlando Magic.
However, his scoring and general play declined, but Derek remained a competent bench player.
The Orlando Magic had a decent squad at the time, but the players were primarily aging.
Approximately 16 of the team’s 22 players were 30 years old or older.
Derek was one of the team’s more experienced members.
He was 36 years old at the time.
Furthermore, the team had an average record of 41-41 but did not make the playoffs.
As a result, Derek’s contract with the Orlando Magic expired during the offseason of 1998, and he left the organization.
Lakers of Los Angeles
Derek signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers after his contract with the Orlando Magic expired.
At the time, the Lakers were a dependable team led by talented players such as Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The squad made the playoffs, which was Harper’s first playoff appearance since 1996 with the Knicks.
The Lakers advanced to the second round before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs.
Harper’s career would come to an end this year.
The Lakers made the playoffs in 1999, the first time Derek had done so since 1996 when he played for the New York Knicks.
The Lakers advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to the San Antonio Spurs.
Harper’s final season as a professional basketball player was in 1999.
Derek Harper is retiring
Derek was moved to the Detroit Pistons during the 1999 summer after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Harper, however, did not inform the squad of his decision and instead announced his retirement.
Furthermore, Derek’s jersey will be retired by the Dallas Mavericks on December 18, 2017, years after he retired from the NBA.
Similarly, Harper’s jersey #12 with the Dallas Mavericks was retired by the franchise on January 7, 2018.
Furthermore, even after retirement, he remains involved in sports as a game analyst.
Derek Harper | Achievements and Awards
- Mentioned in Honor 1981 All-Big Ten Team Captain
- Mentioned in Honor All-Big Ten in 1982; Team MVP in 1983.
- First Team 1983 All-Big Ten
- Second Group 1983 All-American
- In 2004, he was named to the “Illini Men’s Basketball All-Century Team.”
- Recognized as one of 33 distinguished jerseys on display in the State Farm Center to show appreciation for
- being the most improved basketball players in the history of the University of Illinois- 2008
- The #12 Dallas Mavericks jersey will be retired in 2018.
What is Derek Harper’s net worth?
Derek Harper, widely regarded as one of the finest defenders and scorers of all time, has accomplished much in his 16-year professional career.
Because of his extraordinary abilities, Harper is ranked 11th in NBA history in terms of steals and 17th in terms of assists.
Furthermore, Harper has surely earned a nice living while playing for well-known NBA clubs.
Similarly, NBA players’ wages range from $20,000 to $35 million.
Each player’s wage varies and is influenced by a variety of factors.
Although Harper has not published anything about his career earnings, we can presume that he comes into the category of top-ranked players and, as a result, has amassed an incredible amount of earnings over his professional career.
As a result, we can say-
Derek Harper’s estimated net worth is around $13 million.
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Derek Harper and his family
Sheila Harper is Derek Harper’s wife.
Although there isn’t much information on their marriage, we can safely infer that they’ve been together for a long time and are still married.
Furthermore, Derek and Sheila have two children, Darius Harper and Dana Harper.
Dana is a vocalist who rose to prominence after appearing on season 11 of the American singing competition television series The Voice.
Darek’s son Darius, like his father, played basketball in high school and college.
Derek Harper | Online Presence
Twitter has 6,000 followers.
