Derek Harper to be Immortalized in Dallas on January 7th

The Dallas Mavericks will be retiring the jersey of Derek Harper on January 7th against the New York Knicks.

Brad Davis and Rolando Blackman.

Those are the only two jerseys that hang in the rafters at the American Airlines Center in Dallas…until January 7, 2018.

On Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks announced via press release that they will be retiring the #12 jersey of Derek Harper on January 7th against the New York Knicks. This was a move that has been in the works for a while, but the official announcement was something celebrated by Mavs fans young and old.

“Like every Mavs fan around the world, we are proud of Derek and everything he has done and continues to do for Mavs fans,” Mark Cuban said via the team press release. “His contributions can’t be overestimated.  We are excited that he will join Ro and Brad in the rafters as we retire number 12 forever.”

Harper is being immortalized for his efforts on the court for the Mavericks, but it’s his efforts off the court currently that has made him known to the younger crowd. Harper is currently in the middle of year seven in his stint as part of the broadcast team with Mark Followill.

As far as his time on the court for the Dallas Mavericks, he ranks right up there with the best in franchise history.

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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).

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.

It is also worth noting the opponent in which the Mavericks will be playing against that night as Harper has his own history with the New York Knicks.

Harper spent two and a half seasons with the Knicks where he helped lead the Knicks to the NBA Finals in 1994.

As far as the ceremony goes on January 7th, it will be a halftime ceremony consisting of Mark Cuban, former Head Coach Dick Motta and “several Mavericks greats” speaking on behalf of Harp.

Next: Looking at Luka Doncic's Fit in Dallas

This is a night that was a long time coming and a much deserved recognition for one of the best players in franchise history.