December 9, 2011
Orlando, FL -- The Orlando Magic have signed rookie forward Justin Harper and rookie guard DeAndre Liggins, President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Otis Smith announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Both players will participate in training camp, which begins later this evening.
Harper (6’10”, 225, 8/30/89) was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Cleveland. He was acquired on Draft night (June 23) by Orlando in exchange for two future second round draft picks. Harper appeared in 137 career games at the University of Richmond, averaging 10.6 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. in 22.9 minpg. during his collegiate career. He also shot .382 (179-468) from three-point range. As a senior (2010-11), Harper played in 37 games, averaging 17.9 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.2 blkpg. in 31.8 minpg. He was named First Team All-Atlantic 10, leading the Spiders in both scoring and rebounding. Harper scored 20-plus points 14 times, including a career-high 30 points against George Washington.
Harper left Richmond ranked fifth all-time in school history with 179 three-pointers made. He also ranks seventh all-time with 113 blocked shots and 11th all-time with 1,457 points.
Liggins (6’6”, 209, 3/31/88) was selected in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft by Orlando. He appeared in 100 career games at the University of Kentucky, averaging 5.8 ppg., 3.0 rpg. and 2.1 rpg. in 21.9 minpg. during his collegiate career. As a junior (2010-11), Liggins played in 38 games, averaging 8.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 2.5 apg. and 1.2 stlpg. in 31.6 minpg. He also shot .391 (36-92) from three-point range.
Liggins was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team in 2010-11, and was also named to the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team, helping the Wildcats reach the 2011 NCAA Final Four. Kentucky also reached the Elite Eight during Liggins’ sophomore season (2009-10).