Maria Harper
Maria Harper is a Filipino-American basketball coach who helped guide both of her sons, Ron Harper Jr. and Dylan Harper, to the NBA. Born in Bataan, Philippines, she moved to Paterson, New Jersey, at age seven. She comes from an athletic family. Her father, Manuel Pizarro, represented the Philippines in jai alai at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Harper earned a Division I basketball scholarship to the University of New Orleans, playing from 1993 to 1996. After college, she spent decades coaching grassroots and high school teams. She founded the Ring City AAU program, coached at DePaul Catholic High School, and served as an assistant at Don Bosco Prep. Harper was married to former NBA player Ron Harper from 2005 to 2012. She also trains youth athletes across the region.
Maria Harper coached both of her sons, Ron Harper Jr. and Dylan Harper, from grade school to the NBA. Basketball is the family craft. She played Division I college ball at the University of New Orleans and later coached at Don Bosco Prep. Born in the Philippines, she grew up in Paterson, New Jersey.
Personal life
Maria Pizarro was born in Bataan, Philippines, to Manuel and Lillia Pizarro. Her father represented the Philippines at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, competing in jai alai. At age seven, she immigrated to the United States with her family and settled in Paterson, New Jersey.
She met former NBA guard Ron Harper in 1998. The couple married in 2005 and divorced in 2012. Together they raised three children: Ron Jr., Dylan, and Mia. Ron Jr. and Dylan both played at Rutgers University before reaching the NBA, while Mia pursued competitive dance.
Playing and coaching career
Harper took up basketball in fifth grade as an after-school activity. Her high school play earned her a Division I scholarship to the University of New Orleans. She played for the Privateers from 1993 to 1996.
After college, Harper transitioned into coaching. She began as an assistant coach for a high school team in Chicago. Later, she became the girls varsity head coach at DePaul Catholic High School in New Jersey. She also created the Ring City AAU program. Originally designed for girls, the program expanded to include boys teams as her sons grew older.
Harper spent five years on the boys basketball staff at Don Bosco Preparatory High School, working under head coach Kevin Diverio. She coached Dylan from first grade through his senior year of high school. In addition to high school athletics, she trained players through Stack Basketball in New Jersey and New York.
Quick facts
- Her father, Manuel Pizarro, competed for the Philippines in jai alai at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
- She played NCAA Division I basketball on a scholarship at the University of New Orleans from 1993 to 1996.
- She founded the Ring City AAU basketball program in New Jersey, initially establishing it exclusively for girls before expanding to boys.
- She worked as an assistant coach on the boys varsity basketball team at Don Bosco Preparatory High School alongside head coach Kevin Diverio.
- Her sons Ron Harper Jr. and Dylan Harper both played collegiate basketball at Rutgers University before reaching the NBA.
FAQs about Maria Harper
How old is Maria Harper?
Maria Harper was born on February 2, 1963.
Is Maria Harper still married to Ron?
No. Maria Harper was married to Ron Harper from 2005 until their divorce in 2012.
What is Maria Harper's nationality?
Maria Harper is Filipino-American. She was born in Bataan, Philippines, and moved to the United States when she was seven years old.
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