Justin Harmon Bio
Justin Harmon is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. Born on August 30, 2001, in Chicago, Illinois, he is a shooting guard listed at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and 180 lb (82 kg). He is best known for his steady rise through the college ranks at Barton Community College, Utah Valley University, and the University of Illinois, and for joining the Stars after going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft.
Harmon entered the professional ranks in October 2024 and has built his reputation as a versatile guard with a strong perimeter game. His journey from Chicago to the NBA G League reflects years of development across multiple college programs and a clear commitment to improving his craft as a shooting guard.
Early Life and Background
Justin Harmon was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up surrounded by the city’s deep basketball culture. He attended Curie Metropolitan High School in Chicago, where he developed the skills that would eventually lead him to the college game. Coming from a city with a strong tradition of producing basketball talent, Harmon learned early how to compete against high-level competition and adapt his game to a fast-paced style of play.
His time at Curie Metropolitan helped him gain the attention of junior college programs, and he eventually chose to begin his college career at Barton Community College. Growing up in Chicago gave him exposure to demanding pickup games and competitive leagues, which helped shape his defensive toughness and ability to read the floor as a guard.
Path to Basketball
After finishing his prep career at Curie Metropolitan, Justin Harmon began his college journey at Barton Community College, where he spent the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 seasons. His play with the Barton Cougars earned him First-team All-Jayhawk West honors in 2021, a recognition that helped establish him as a serious prospect at the junior college level.
Following his time at Barton, Harmon transferred to Utah Valley University, where he played from 2021 to 2023. He ultimately graduated from Utah Valley with a bachelor’s degree, marking an important academic milestone in addition to his athletic progress. Using an extra year of eligibility granted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Harmon then transferred to the University of Illinois for the 2023–2024 season, joining the Fighting Illini for his final year of college eligibility.
Justin Harmon Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Justin Harmon’s first major chapter in organized basketball began at Barton Community College, where he played from 2019 to 2021. He emerged as one of the top performers in the Jayhawk West Conference, and his First-team All-Jayhawk West selection in 2021 served as a strong foundation for his future. The experience helped him sharpen his perimeter shooting and develop the defensive habits that would later define his game.
After two years at Barton, he moved to Utah Valley University, where he spent the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. The move from junior college to NCAA Division I was an important step, and he used the opportunity to round out his offensive game while completing his degree. By the end of his Utah Valley tenure, he was prepared to test himself against a higher level of competition in the Big Ten Conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini Era (2023–2024)
Harmon transferred to the University of Illinois for the 2023–2024 season, using the extra COVID year to compete in the Big Ten. Playing for the Fighting Illini gave him a national platform and a chance to face top-tier NCAA talent on a consistent basis. The experience added polish to his game and prepared him for the physical and mental demands of professional basketball.
Beyond the court, his time at Illinois allowed him to further his education. He is currently pursuing a strategic brand communication graduate certificate at the University of Illinois, showing a clear interest in developing his off-court profile as well as his athletic one.
Salt Lake City Stars Era (2024–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Justin Harmon joined the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League on October 28, 2024. The Stars, who serve as the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, provided him with a structured environment to continue his development as a shooting guard. Wearing jersey number 4, he began his professional career with a clear opportunity to grow within a respected organization.
His role with the Stars gives him regular minutes against experienced professionals and high-level prospects. The early stretch of his pro career has been focused on adjusting to the speed and physicality of the G League, while also proving that he can be a consistent contributor on both ends of the floor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Justin Harmon is a shooting guard whose strengths lie in perimeter scoring, intelligent shot selection, and defensive awareness. His time at multiple college programs helped him develop the ability to play within a structured offense while still creating his own shot. Standing 6 ft 4 in, he combines size with shooting touch, making him a reliable option from beyond the arc and a solid secondary ball-handler for his team.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most important early milestones in Justin Harmon’s career was his First-team All-Jayhawk West selection in 2021 while at Barton Community College. Another key moment came when he signed with the Salt Lake City Stars on October 28, 2024, officially beginning his professional basketball career. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley and pursuing a graduate certificate at Illinois also stand out as significant personal achievements alongside his athletic progress.
Justin Harmon Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Justin Harmon was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, a city well known for producing skilled basketball players. Detailed information about his parents and extended family has not been publicly confirmed in available sources. He attended Curie Metropolitan High School, where his basketball foundation was built before he moved on to the college ranks.
Personal Life
Off the court, Harmon has placed a strong emphasis on his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in applied communication from Utah Valley University and is currently working toward a strategic brand communication graduate certificate at the University of Illinois. His dedication to academics shows a balanced approach to his life as a student-athlete and now as a professional player in the NBA G League.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Justin Harmon continues his professional career with the Salt Lake City Stars, where he has been working to establish himself as a reliable rotation player. The Stars compete in a highly competitive NBA G League environment, and Harmon has been using his minutes to refine his shot, improve his defensive reads, and build chemistry with teammates and coaches.
Coming off his college career at Illinois, his 2025 campaign is an important step in proving that he belongs at the professional level. With the foundation he built at Barton, Utah Valley, and Illinois, he has the tools to compete, and the season represents a critical opportunity to show consistent growth as a shooting guard.
Looking ahead, Harmon’s outlook with the Stars remains positive. His combination of shooting ability, size, and basketball IQ gives him a clear path toward earning a larger role within the organization, and his continued academic pursuits show a mature approach to life beyond the game.