“From the Jungle to the Crown: Former Auburn Guard Wins EuroCup MVP”

Former Auburn guard Jared Harper has won the EuroCup Most Valuable Player Award for the 2024-25 season, the league announced on Monday.

Playing for Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem, Harper had the highest scoring average in EuroCup competition this season at 22.7 points per game and finished second in assists with 5.7 assists per game. He also set a league record by making 161 free throws during the 18-game schedule.

The BKT EuroCup is EuroLeague Basketball’s secondary competition behind the 18-team EuroLeague, with the two teams reaching the EuroCup championship series earning promotion to the EuroLeague. Dreamland Gran Canaria and Hapoel Tel Aviv start the best-of-three EuroCup Finals on Tuesday.

Harper also played for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israel Basketball Super League this season. His average of 19.5 points per game ranks second in the league with three games remaining on the regular-season schedule. Another Auburn alumnus, Bryce Brown, has the league’s top scoring average at 20.0 points per game for Ironi Ness Ziona.

Harper and Brown were teammates at Auburn for three seasons – 2016-17 through 2018-19.

Harper is in his third season of international basketball. The previous two seasons he played for Valencia, a EuroLeague team in Spain’s Liga ACB.

After averaging 15.3 points and 5.8 assists per game in his final season at Auburn, Harper moved between the NBA and the NBA G League for three seasons.

Harper played in 16 NBA games – three with the Phoenix Suns, eight with the New York Knicks and five with the New Orleans Pelicans – and had 42 points and 15 assists in 67 minutes of playing time.

In the G League, Harper played for the Northern Arizona Suns, Westchester Knicks and Birmingham Squadron. In 84 games, he averaged 20.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals.

Harper made first-team All-G League in the 2020-21 season and third team in the 2021-22 season.

From SEC hardwood battles to European glory, a former Auburn Tigers standout has officially etched his name in international basketball history. In a season that saw him rise above the competition, both literally and figuratively, the former Auburn guard has been named the EuroCup Most Valuable Player—an honor reserved for only the most dominant, consistent, and impactful players in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

The MVP recognition is a crowning achievement in a journey that’s taken him from the raucous atmosphere of Auburn Arena to arenas across Europe, where he’s now become a household name among fans of international hoops. For Auburn faithful, the award serves as a proud reminder of the program’s ability to develop elite talent—not just for the NBA, but for high-level basketball around the globe.

While he may have once worn orange and blue in the heart of Alabama, his path to stardom in Europe was anything but linear. After completing his collegiate career under Bruce Pearl’s energetic and fast-paced system, the guard didn’t immediately jump into NBA stardom. Instead, he chose—or perhaps was nudged toward—a different route, embracing the overseas grind, refining his craft in leagues known more for their grit, tactics, and relentless competitiveness.

From the very beginning of his pro career in Europe, it was clear he had the tools to be special. His combination of athleticism, playmaking, and defensive tenacity translated well to the European game, where tempo control and ball movement are prized. But it wasn’t just the stats that turned heads—it was the leadership, the poise in crunch time, and the uncanny ability to rise to the occasion in the season’s most crucial moments.

This year, playing for one of the EuroCup’s top-tier clubs, he elevated his game to new heights. Averaging just under 20 points per game, with five assists and nearly two steals, he was the engine that powered his team to a deep postseason run. Whether he was slicing through defenders, hitting dagger threes, or locking down opposing scorers, his fingerprints were all over every game. Night in and night out, he was a matchup nightmare—too quick for bigger guards, too strong for smaller ones.

His MVP campaign wasn’t just about numbers; it was about presence. Teammates fed off his energy. Coaches leaned on his decision-making. Fans, whether in the arena or watching from afar, saw the unmistakable spark of a player who had taken his game to an elite level. In a league that boasts veterans with NBA pedigrees and hungry young talents from across the globe, standing out is no small feat. Winning MVP is even rarer.

Back in Auburn, the news of his accolade has been met with celebration and pride. Bruce Pearl, who has always emphasized the global nature of basketball and encouraged his players to embrace all professional paths, has long championed this guard’s work ethic and maturity. During his college days, he was known not only for his quick first step and defensive grit but also for his leadership and willingness to do whatever it took to win. Those qualities, it seems, have only grown sharper with time.

His journey also underscores the changing landscape of professional basketball. No longer is the NBA the only destination for top-tier talent. The EuroCup, along with other major European leagues, offers a legitimate platform for players to shine on an international stage, develop their games further, and build fulfilling, high-profile careers. With more visibility than ever, and with global scouts watching closely, the EuroCup MVP is not only a badge of honor—it’s often a stepping stone to even greater opportunities, be it a return to the NBA or a long, decorated run overseas.

For this former Tiger, the award may mark the pinnacle of his professional career so far, but it also feels like a launching point. Speculation has already begun about potential EuroLeague offers and even renewed NBA interest. His agent, team officials, and front offices across both continents will no doubt be making calls, weighing options, and planning what comes next. But regardless of where the next contract is signed, the MVP title guarantees one thing: he’s no longer just a former college standout—he’s a star.

Auburn’s fan base, affectionately known as “The Jungle,” has always been quick to rally around its alumni, especially those who’ve taken the long road to success. This MVP moment is no different. Social media has lit up with congratulatory posts, throwback highlights, and proud messages from fans who remember his game-winning plays, intense defense, and leadership during key conference battles. They remember the player who helped lift the program to national relevance—and now, they get to celebrate his latest chapter on the world stage.

The significance of this award also speaks volumes about the culture Bruce Pearl has cultivated at Auburn. It’s not just about March runs or conference titles—it’s about preparing players for the next level, whatever that level may be. Players leave Auburn ready, not just in terms of skill, but with the mental toughness and professional mindset to succeed under any conditions. That this guard has adapted and thrived in a totally different basketball ecosystem only reinforces the power of that preparation.

Looking ahead, there’s no doubt the EuroCup MVP will serve as a role model for future Auburn players considering all their professional options. His success offers a powerful reminder that greatness can be achieved outside the NBA spotlight, and that hard work, consistency, and humility remain the pillars of a long and decorated career. His journey is proof that basketball is truly a global game, and Auburn’s influence now stretches well beyond the borders of the SEC.

It also sets a new benchmark. Young players from Auburn and other college programs will look at his journey not just as a feel-good story, but as a blueprint. He bet on himself, took the road less traveled, and now stands as the best player in one of Europe’s toughest competitions. That kind of achievement resonates across locker rooms, scout meetings, and front offices alike.

As the celebration of his MVP season continues, there’s a sense that this is just the beginning. Whether he’s competing in the EuroLeague next season, earning another national call-up, or fielding NBA workouts, one thing is clear—he’s arrived. And he’s done it on his own terms.

Back in Auburn, where his story began, this latest chapter is a source of immense pride. For a program still chasing national championships and Final Four dreams, moments like these are vital reminders of what the journey is really about: shaping athletes who can thrive anywhere, who represent their alma mater with class and distinction, and who prove, time and again, that Auburn basketball is built for greatness—both at home and abroad.

From the Jungle to the EuroCup, this former guard’s story is far from over. But for now, he stands alone as the Most Valuable Player—a title well earned, and forever his.