Former Liberty Flames guard J.J. Harper has officially agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026 NBA Summer League, marking the next step in his professional basketball journey.
Harper entered the NBA conversation after a strong 2025‑26 season in which he averaged 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.4 steals and a block per game while shooting 59.2% from the field, 37.7% from three‑point range and 76% from the free‑throw line.
A Summer Circuit Across the West Coast
The 2026 Summer League will be held in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Sacramento and Salt Lake City, giving Harper the chance to showcase his defensive prowess against a variety of competition in front of NBA decision‑makers.
During the pre‑draft process, Harper worked out for several NBA franchises, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies, each of which expressed interest in his versatile skill set.
He will be one of three Liberty Flames participants in the Summer League, joining teammates such as Zach Cleveland, Taelon Peter, Darius McGhee, Caleb Homesley, Seth Curry, Julius Nwosu and Peter Aluma, all of whom are looking to make an impression on NBA scouts.
From Conference USA Dominance to NBA Aspirations
Harper helped the Flames to a program‑record 26‑win season and a 17‑3 mark in Conference USA, during which the team posted a 17‑game winning streak. His defensive contributions earned him a finalist spot for the 2025‑26 Lefty Driesell Award, given to the top defensive player in Division I college basketball.
If he secures a spot on an NBA roster for the regular season, Harper would become the fifth Liberty Flame in recent history to achieve that milestone, underscoring the program’s growing pipeline to the professional ranks.