In 1952–53, his
freshman season, he was voted a second team All-
Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the
Associated Press (AP). He averaged 17.8 points and 17.0 rebounds per game in 21 games played. Harper became the first
Crimson Tide player to lead his team in scoring all four years en route to finishing with 1,861 for his career, Harper was the first player in school history to average 20 or more points per game for a career, and in one game against
Kentucky during his senior season, he scored 38 points and grabbed 26 rebounds. After college, Harper was selected in the
1956 NBA draft by the
New York Knickerbockers with the #20 overall pick (3rd round). But he never ended up playing in the league. Instead, he played for the
Houston Ada Oilers and the
Phillips 66ers of the
AAU National Industrial Basketball League (AAU), which was still a semi-professional league at the time. An injury prematurely ended his career. ==Honors==