City of Basketball Love

Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich)
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Former Neumann-Goretti standout Troy Harper is coming back to Philadelphia for the second half of his collegiate basketball career.

Harper has decided to transfer to Drexel for his final two seasons, CoBL has learned. Harper spent his first two college seasons playing for Campbell University, but he will play his last pair in a Dragons uniform. He will be eligible starting in the 2017-18 season due to NCAA rules.

A 6-foot-1 guard, Harper was part of a loaded Neumann backcourt in his senior season, playing alongside fellow D-I guards in Ja’Quan Newton (Miami) and Lamarr Kimble (Saint Joseph’s). Harper averaged 12.2 points per game his senior season as the Saints won the PCL title.

Harper was on the court a lot during his time at Campbell and was second on the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game in the 2015-16 season. However, the Camels went 12-18 last year which included a 5-13 mark in Big South play.

At Drexel, Harper will be reunited with former Campbell assistant Chris Clark. Clark was named as an assistant on Zach Spiker’s new staff in April and was Temple’s video coordinator last season after leaving the Campbell program.

Harper will bolster a Drexel backcourt which took some blows in the offseason after Bruiser Flint was fired. Guards Terrell Allen and Sammy Mojica both opted to transfer, though the Dragons did land 2016 Baltimore guard Kurk Lee Jr. after Spiker’s hiring.

Despite his 6-1 frame, Harper has a bounce in his step that PCL fans may recall. Harper shot 38.6 percent from the floor and averaged 3.3 rebounds per game last season.

We caught up with Harper on Tuesday to talk about his homecoming: 

CoBL: So you have some obvious connections to Drexel and the city. What were some of the main reasons you chose the school?

Harper: I have a great connection with coach (Chris) Clark, and coach Spiker wanted me to help turn the program around. I know it can also help my city, so that’s why I decided to go there.

CoBL: How big was Coach Clark in his role drawing you to Drexel?

Harper: He played a big role, but it was more coach Spiker wanted me to come there, too. (Clark) played a big role, especially at the end, but I wasn’t going to go somewhere solely because of him.

CoBL: Drexel is transferring into a new era with a new coach. What was the team’s selling pitch to you about the future?

Harper: They want me to come in, become a leader and help turn the program around. They want to help change the whole Drexel program, and they wanted me to help because it’s my hometown.

CoBL: What’s been the reaction from family, friends, other people in the city, maybe some people at Neumann since you made your choice?

Harper: A lot of people are really happy because I’ve been so far away for two years. A lot of people haven’t been able to see me play in that time, so that makes me even more excited to come back home.

CoBL: Was your family been able to get to any games when you were down at Campbell (located in Buies Creek, NC)?

Harper: The last two years, they have probably been to maybe five games. I think they were at two at home and a few others on the road.

CoBL: What was the transferring process like for you after you opened it up in April? Did it feel at all like your high school recruitment days?

Harper: This was a lot more stressful than high school because it happens in a shorter period of time. In high school, you have pretty much four years to get recruited and see schools. When you transfer, it’s just a couple months. It was different because you don’t know exactly what coaches are really interested and things like that.

CoBL: What were some other schools that you were considering?

Harper: My final two were Drexel and Monmouth.

CoBL: You’re going to have a year on the sidelines due to transfer rules. What are you hoping to accomplish in that year away from games?

Harper: I want to get stronger, spend time in the weight room, and I want to work on my jumper. I also want to be more of a vocal leader on and off the court.

CoBL: How much do you think the year around new teammates will help in that role?

Harper: It’s going to help me build that trust with my new teammates. When I do come back on the court, they’ll trust me on the court.

CoBL: What are you hoping to get out of your time at Drexel?

Harper: I want to win the CAA and make the NCAA Tournament.