Career
He played college basketball for the University of Richmond. As a senior with Richmond, Harper averaged 17.9 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field, and he was named to the first-team All-Atlantic 10, along with teammate Kevin Anderson. Harper was recognized as an All-Fourth District first-team selection by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Harper was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the 2011 National Basketball Association draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who subsequently traded his draft rights to the Orlando Magic.
During the 2011 National Basketball Association lockout, Harper played in France for SIG Strasbourg of the Ligue Nationale de Basketball. On December 9, 2011, he signed with the Magic.
On October 27, 2012, he was waived by the Magic. On November 2, 2012, Harper was selected by the Idaho Stampede with the third overall pick in the 2012 National Basketball Association Development League Draft.
He played in 48 games for Idaho in 2012-2013, averaging 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
On October 5, 2013, Harper signed with Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel for the 2013-2014 season. On September 10, 2014, he signed with Sidigas Avellino of Italy for the 2014-2015 season. On September 18, 2015, Harper signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
However, he was later waived by the Nets on October 26 after appearing in six preseason games.
On November 16, he was acquired by the Los Angeles Doctorate-Fenders of the Doctorate-League. On January 29, 2016, he was named in the West All-Star team for the 2016 National Basketball Association Doctorate-League All-Star Game.
On February 24, 2016, Harper signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons. On March 5, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Pistons.
On March 15, the Pistons decided not to sign him for the remainder of the season.
That day, he was reacquired by the Doctorate-Fenders. Two days later, he played in a 110–101 loss to the Idaho Stampede, recording 14 points, two rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes.