“We are excited to have Ron Harper, Jr. join Rutgers Nation,” said Pikiell. “He was a player we identified and loved from the first time we saw him play. His versatility and ability to shoot the ball, along with the fact that he’s an awesome kid from a tremendous family, was really exciting to our staff and me as the head coach. We love the fact that he is from a winning and well coached program at Don Bosco in our home state of New Jersey. Ron has a tremendous upside and we look forward to him having a great career ‘On the Banks.’ Rutgers Nation is very excited to add Ron Harper Jr. to R Family.”
“He’s been great for us in his progression as a player, on and off the court,” said Don Bosco Prep Head Coach Kevin Diverio. “I think his best days are ahead of him. I don’t think he’s near the kind of player that he will end up being. I think that potential was what Rutgers saw in him that some other people missed out on. He comes from a great family, with both his mom and his dad being Division I players. His game has evolved since last year. He’s been a leader on our team and someone that we look to score, rebound and defend. He’s really embraced his role and run with it.
“His versatility is his biggest strength,” Diverio continued. “He can play and score both inside and outside, he has great court vision. He passes the ball well. He’s not one dimensional, I think down the line he’ll be able to guard multiple positions. His teammates love him. He is a great teammate and I think that goes a long way in creating team unity. I can’t say enough about him as a person.”
As for Carter, he provides front court depth going forward.“Shaq Carter is a player we identified early in the recruiting process,” said Pikiell. “He’s an experienced, high energy, very skilled player coming from a tremendous basketball program. From the first time I saw him play, I loved his energy, his passion and his toughness. He’s a big, strong post player. He has very impressive skills and work ethic. He’s a quality student-athlete from a great family and I know he’s going to add a tremendous amount to our program.”
“First and foremost, Shaq is an unbelievable person, not just a great basketball player,” said Eastern Florida State head coach Jeremy Schulman. “Rutgers is getting just a person with great character and personality. Shaq is an unbelievably hard worker, he’s tough, and he’s incredibly coachable. He also has immense upside since he hasn’t been playing basketball that long. He has the strength, the physicality and the toughness to make an impact in the Big Ten from day one. I think he’s an outstanding, ready-made pickup for Rutgers.”
Rutgers’ three-man class is ranked No. 45 nationally by Scout.com. Photo: Varsity Aces Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And Like ZAGS on Facebook? | #Kn18hted
Please join us as we officially welcome Shaq Carter (@shaq_carter18) to the @RutgersMBB family! ?⚔️ | #KnightAndDay Release ? » https://t.co/g4wH6CxZqY pic.twitter.com/vrQOMdqsy3 — Rutgers Basketball (@RutgersMBB) November 8, 2017
