At the 2025 NBA Draft, Maria Harper—mother of No. 2 pick Dylan Harper—stood out with her grace and presence, quickly becoming a social media sensation. A former college player and Dylan’s first coach, Maria praised her son's love, humility, and work ethic, while Dylan credited her guidance, saying, “She’s everything to me.” Her mantra, “Keep the main thing the main thing,” helped him stay focused on his journey to the NBA.
Who Is Maria Harper? Wikipedia, Age & Parents
Maria Harper is a well-known basketball coach, former Division I player, and philanthropist. She is highly recognized for being the mother of NBA players Dylan Harper and Ron Harper Jr. Maria Harper is also known for being the ex-wife of former NBA player Ron Harper Sr.
Maria Harper has become one of the trending topics on the internet. Many people are searching for her Wikipedia page and biography details. However, Maria Harper is yet to be featured on the Wikipedia page.
The basketball coach was born and raised by her parents in the Philippines. Later, she immigrated to the United States of America at age 7 and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. Her parents are Manuel Pizarro (father) and Lilia Pizarro (mother). Maria Harper hasn't opened up about her siblings.
Maria Harper, aka Maria Pizarro Harper, was born in 1974, making her 51 years of age as of 2025. However, her actual birthdate and zodiac sign remain a mystery. Furthermore, Maria holds an American nationality and belongs to a Caucasian ethnicity. In addition, she follows the Christian religion.
Her approximate height is around 5 feet 3 inches or 1.60 m tall, and she has a decent weight of about 58 kg or 127 lbs. There is no information available about her educational background. However, she played Divison I basketball at the University of New Orleans.
Maria Harper's Married Life
Maria Harper was a married personality at one time, and her current relationship status is divorced or single at the moment. Maria Harper was previously married to her ex-husband, Ron Harper Sr., on New Year's Eve in 2005 in the presence of their family and friends.
Her ex-husband, Ron Harper Sr. is a former NBA player. He played for four teams in the National Basketball Association between 1986 and 2001. In their relationship, Maria Harper and Ron Harper Sr. have three children, namely Ron Harper Jr., Dylan Harper, and Mia Harper.
Their sons Ron Harper Jr. and Dylan Harper are basketball players by profession. Unfortunately, Maria Harper and Ron Harper Sr. got divorced in 2012. However, the reason behind their divorce is unknown in the media. Since their divorce, both Maria and Ron Harper Sr. have continued to focus on their respective careers and families.
Net Worth & Career
Maria Harper has an estimated net worth of about $800 Thousand. She makes this fortune from her professional career as a former Division 1 College Basketball player, coach, Founder of AAU Basketball Program, and philanthropist.
Maria Harper began her career at a very young age. She is a former Division I collegiate basketball player who made significant contributions both on and off the court. Maria Harper played for the University of New Orleans from 1993 to 1996, where she was recognized for her defensive tenacity, court vision, and leadership qualities. Her time as a player laid a strong foundation for her future in basketball coaching and mentorship.
After concluding her playing career, Maria transitioned into coaching, dedicating herself to developing young basketball talent. She began her coaching journey as an assistant coach in Chicago, where she gained valuable experience working with youth teams. Maria’s passion and strategic approach to the game quickly earned her a head coaching position at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, New Jersey.
During her tenure there, Maria Harper led the girls’ varsity basketball team to remarkable success, securing two conference championships, two county championships, and a state sectional title. Her leadership and commitment to excellence earned her the prestigious Passaic County Coach of the Year award.
Maria Harper became an assistant coach for the boys’ basketball program at Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey, in 2019. During this time, we had a chance to see firsthand the dedication she demonstrated in her role, especially by coaching some of her sons, including Dylan Harper, who later went on to be a top prospect in the NBA Draft.
At Don Bosco Prep, Maria helped the players to develop and improve their skills, develop team goals and strategy, and provide a competitive environment for the players while maintaining an element of fun. Maria Harper is also heavily involved in philanthropy and youth development. She founded Ring City Basketball, a AAU program in Northern Jersey that gives young athletes the opportunity to develop and compete at a high level.
In addition, Maria runs the nonprofit organization Give & Go, which supports youth with tutoring, SAT/ACT preparation, and funding for scholarships to help them be successful both academically and athletically. Maria Harper has used her influence in many capacities, as a player, coach and mentor and community leader to further the development of the basketball community. Because of her knowledge of the game and passion for enriching the lives of young athletes, she earns the respect of all that work with her.