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DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks retired Derek Harper's #12 jersey on January 7, 2017, when the Mavs hosted the Knicks at American Airlines Center. Harper enjoyed a stellar career at Illinois from 1981-83 before becoming the first draft pick in Mavericks franchise history in 1983 in playing in the NBA for 16 seasons.
Harper played a total of 12 seasons (1983-94, 96-97) with Dallas in his 16 year NBA career. In 872 total games with the Mavs, he started 620 times and averaged 14.4 points, 5.7 assists while .468 shooting (4,899-10,454 FGs) from the field.
Among Mavs franchise leaders, he ranks fourth in points (12,597), first in assists (5,111), fourth in field goals (4,899), fifth in field goal attempts (10,454), fifth in 3-point field goals (705), fifth in 3-point field goal attempts (2,030), fourth in free throws (2,094), fourth in free throw attempts (2,804), first in steals (1,551), third in games played (872), third in starts (620) and third in minutes (27,985).
The jersey ceremony occurred at halftime of Mavs-Knicks game. Owner Mark Cuban, former Mavericks Head Coach Dick Motta (1980-87, 1994-96) and several Mavericks greats spoke on Harper's behalf.
At Illinois, Harper was a second team All-American and first team All-Big Ten selection in 1983 after averaging 15.4 points per game during his junior season. That season, he knocked down the game-winning three-pointer against Minnesota in final regular-season game to send Illini to the 1983 NCAA Tournament. An Illinois All-Century Team member, Harper currently ranks sixth on the UI career steals list (178), 10th on the career assists list (419) and 50th on the career scoring list (977).
