A freshman guard committed to Howard men’s basketball team in 2023, after receiving four Division 1 offers and not much fanfare when he arrived at The Mecca for the 2024-2025 season.
Six months into his first year, Blake Harper has generated a name for himself, earning 11 consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Rookie of the Week awards, ranking second in the MEAC in scoring and leading the conference in rebounds per game.
The freshman is ranked among the top 50 players in NCAA for points per game, establishing himself with NBA prospects such as Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
Harper credits his early success to Howard’s coaching staff for allowing him the opportunity to showcase his talents.
“Ultimately, I’m trying to go to the NBA, and I feel like not just the name of the program, but your production is the best thing, and Howard gave me that,” Harper said. “Also, there was a family aspect, both [Head Coach Kenneth Blakeney] and [Assistant Coach Tyler Thorton] referred to me as little bro, and I referred to them as big bro, so it was kind of like a family thing.”
The Bison’s newest star has certainly been performing at a high level this season, highlighted by a 30-point, 13-rebound 10-assist performance against the University of Virginia-Lynchburg.
“I was just out there. I remember somebody in the stands just said something towards the end,” Harper said. “I was just trying to go out there and get my teammates involved while trying to find my shot as well…they made everything easier for me.”
Senior guard and Washington, D.C., native Marcus Dockery was central to Harper’s connection with the team on and off the court.
“I grew up with Doc. We’re from the same city. He’s probably one of my best friends, and I feel like it’s just easier to be out there with him when the chemistry is on a hundred. You know what your guy can do, and you know what the other guy can do,” Harper said. “I feel like we are the best duo in the MEAC, and if we show that on a nightly basis, I feel like we can be the best.”
Harper’s teammates and playing in his hometown has contributed significantly to the success of his freshman season.
“I feel like the DMV is a host for great basketball and definitely just being at Howard, just trying to be at the Mecca and just bringing the school together,” Harper said. “That was one of the reasons why I picked Howard so my family and friends can be there supporting me throughout this journey.”
Harper and the Bison’s journey continues on Feb. 1 as they are set to face the rival Hampton University Pirates at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C.
Copy edited by Aniyah Genama
