Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information on Derek Harper:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Derek Ricardo Harper
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born October 13, 1961
  • Hometown: Elberton, Georgia, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters)
  • Weight: 185 pounds (84 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 5 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 13 (US)
  • Number: Wore #12 and #11
  • Position: Point Guard
  • High School: North Shore High School (West Palm Beach, Florida)
  • College: University of Illinois (1979–1983)
  • NBA Draft: 1983 NBA Draft, 1st Round, 11th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Dallas Mavericks (1983–1994, 1996–1997)
    • New York Knicks (1994–1996)
    • Orlando Magic (1997–1998)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1998–1999)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Known to have children, though specific details are private
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Derek Harper’s player archetype was that of a two-way floor general, a steady veteran point guard who balanced playmaking, perimeter defense, and timely scoring without needing flashy usage. Defensively, he was a tough point-of-attack guard who could pressure opposing ball-handlers, hold his own across the backcourt, and disrupt actions with strong anticipation, while offensively he operated as a controlled lead guard who initiated sets, made smart reads, and could create his own mid-range or pull-up offense when needed. At 6-foot-4 and roughly 185–206 pounds, Harper had good size for the position, and his overall play style was built on poise, physical guard defense, careful decision-making, and reliable all-around backcourt control.

Sources:

NBA.com — Derek Harper | Guard | Dallas Mavericks | NBA.com
Basketball-Reference.com — Derek Harper Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Basketball Intelligence — Derek Harper: What You Get Is What You See, 1993