Former North Jersey high school basketball players who reached the NBA
Dylan Harper is the most highly-regarded boys’ basketball player to come out of North Jersey this century, maybe ever, and he’s expected to hear his name called early in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25.
The 6-foot-5 Harper, a Don Bosco graduate who last season starred as a freshman at Rutgers, is projected to be selected as high as No. 2 in the draft, which begins at 8 p.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Harper is the son of former NBA veteran and five-time champion Ron Harper. His older brother, Ronald, also starred at Don Bosco and Rutgers and has seen NBA action in each of the past three seasons.
Here's a look at noteworthy graduates of Bergen and Passaic county high schools from the past 50 years who reached the NBA.
The biggest name is Tim Thomas, a 1996 graduate of now-closed Paterson Catholic, who played 13 seasons in the NBA and last season completed his second season as coach at Paramus Catholic.
Kyle Anderson
Paterson Catholic/St. Anthony (2012)
Apr 18, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Heat forward Kyle Anderson (20) shown on the court before the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Anderson just finished his 11th NBA season and first with the Miami Heat. The 6-9 Anderson transferred to St. Anthony in 2010 after Paterson Catholic closed. He played two seasons at UCLA and was chosen in the first round of the 2014 draft, 30th overall by the San Antonio Spurs.
Dominick Barlow
St. Joseph/Dumont (2021)
Dominick Barlow #0 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket while guarded by Moussa Diabate #14 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on March 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Barlow just completed his third NBA season and first with the Atlanta Hawks. The 6-8 Barlow, after spending the 2021-22 season at fledgling Overtime Elite, went undrafted in 2022, then signed a two-way contract and spent two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
Tony Campbell
Teaneck (1980)
Campbell played for six teams over 11 NBA seasons (1984-95), including a stint with the New York Knicks. The 6-7 Campbell, who played at Ohio State, was chosen in the first round, 20th overall, in the 1984 draft by the Detroit Pistons and spent his first three seasons there.
Ronald Harper Jr.
Don Bosco (2018)
Apr 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Pistons forward Ron Harper Jr. (13) shoots the ball during warmups before tip off against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Harper just finished his third NBA season and first with the Detroit Pistons. The 6-5 Harper, who starred at Rutgers, has battled injury. He played 11 NBA games over three seasons after signing a two-way contract in 2022 and playing two seasons with the Toronto Raptors.
Justin Minaya
Old Tappan (2017)
Minaya has spent the last three NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. The 6-5 Minaya, who played at South Carolina and Providence, went undrafted in 2022. He has signed multiple two-way contracts with Portland and played 57 NBA games.
Kasib Powell
Teaneck (1999)
Powell played 11 games in 2007-08 for the Miami Heat, a call-up from the D-League. The 6-7 Powell was a late bloomer who was under 6-foot during his junior year at Teaneck. He played two seasons at Butler CC (1999-2001) and two for coach Bob Knight at Texas Tech (2001-03).
James Scott
Eastside (1991)
Scott was an undrafted free agent out of St. John’s who played part of one season in the NBA. The 6-6 Scott, who had a bullet-quick first step, played eight games during the 1996-97 season for Pat Riley and the Miami Heat.
Rory Sparrow
Eastside (1976)
Sparrow played for seven teams across 12 NBA seasons, six with the New York Knicks (1982-88). The 6-2 Sparrow, who played at Villanova, was selected in the fourth round of the 1980 draft by the New Jersey Nets. In 1988, he scored the first basket in Miami Heat franchise history.
Tim Thomas
Paterson Catholic (1996)
27 Nov 2001: Forward Tim Thomas #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks the ball as forward Robert Horry #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs towards the basket during the NBA game at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Thomas played for seven teams across 13 NBA seasons (1997-2010), including two stints with the New York Knicks. The 6-10 Thomas spent one season at Villanova before being chosen No. 7 in the 1997 draft by the New Jersey Nets and traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Darryl Watkins
Passaic Tech/Paterson Catholic (2003)
April 24, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Hornets center Darryl Watkins (31) on the bench before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Watkins was an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse who played parts of two seasons in the NBA. The 6-11 Watkins, known for his shot-blocking ability, played nine games for the Sacramento Kings in 2007-08 and five games for the New Orleans Hornets in 2011-12.
Bill Willoughby
Englewood (1975)
Willoughby was among the first to be drafted right out of high school, selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 1975 draft, 19th overall. The 6-8 Willoughby played for six teams across eight seasons, spending his final 1983-84 season with the New Jersey Nets.
