Ron Harper

Five-time NBA champion whose defensive intelligence and off-the-ball movement were essential to two separate dynasties.

Ronald Harper was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1964. Cleveland Cavaliers selected him eighth overall in the 1986 NBA Draft. His 15-season career produced five NBA championships: three with the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998) and two with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001). He averaged 12.0 points, 4.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. He suffered a severe knee injury in 1990 that cost him significant athleticism and forced him to reinvent himself from a scoring guard into a defensive specialist and off-the-ball cutter. He became the ideal complementary player for Michael Jordan at Chicago — a tough defender who could guard the opponent's best perimeter player, space the floor and move without the ball intelligently. He filled the same role at the Lakers alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. His five championships with two separate dynasties make him one of the most decorated role players in NBA history. His late-career reinvention — from athletic scorer to defensive specialist after his knee injury — is one of the better examples of a player adapting successfully to preserve his career.

Athletic two-way guard with strong defense and leadership

Versatile guard who transformed from scorer to championship role player

• NBA Champion 5x (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001)