You may know Harper Hempel as a standout volleyball player with a robust background in athletics, digital media, and entrepreneurship. You may have first heard about her through her connection to NBA star Jamal Murray, but her story goes far beyond her high-profile relationship.
Born in Union, Kentucky, Harper built her name through years of hard work on the volleyball court, as well as her success in business and social media.
Today, Harper is known not only as an accomplished former athlete but also as a dedicated entrepreneur and influencer. She brings positivity, motivation, and authenticity to her online presence. People follow her because they appreciate her genuine approach and inspiring story.
Early Life and Family
Harper Hempel grew up in Union, Kentucky. Her family has been close and supportive throughout her life. Her father, Richard Hempel, co-founded eCoachSports, a company dedicated to online coaching for NBA coaches.
Harper has a brother, Conner Hempel, who was a quarterback for Harvard University. Her mother is Colleen Hempel, and her family background provided her with solid roots and encouragement to pursue opportunities in sports and academics.
Education
Harper attended Ryle High School, where she made her mark as a volleyball player and leader. She was a four-year starter and a three-time All-State selection. Recognized for her leadership, Harper served as team captain multiple times and received the district MVP award during her senior year. At high school, she excelled not just as an athlete but also as a student, consistently earning honors on and off the court.
After high school, Harper went to the University of Kentucky, joining the Wildcats volleyball team as a defensive specialist and setter. Although she didn’t receive heavy playing time, she contributed as a team player and often worked as a setter for the scout team. She felt content in any role that supported the team. Team members respected her dedication and her willingness to do whatever was needed for the group’s success.
Harper continued her studies at the Gatton School of Business, where she focused on Marketing and Digital Media. Her academic background equipped her for a versatile career in digital management, media, and entrepreneurship.
Volleyball Career
Harper’s volleyball journey began in elementary school and blossomed through high school and college. At Ryle High School, Harper played a key part in her team’s best season and helped them achieve a remarkable 35–5 record. She boasted impressive stats, including 82 kills and 73 aces during her final year.
When Harper transitioned to college athletics at the University of Kentucky, she became known for her work ethic and giving nature. She played in 13 matches and finished her sophomore year with strong statistics, such as 20 digs, three assists, an ace, and a kill. She was recognized by her coaches for her maturity and commitment, always focusing on the team rather than personal gains.
Harper’s time as a student-athlete shaped her perspective on teamwork, leadership, and resilience. The dedication learned on the court carries over into her current professional pursuits.
Professional Career
After her sports career, Harper built a dynamic career that combines her passion for photography with her expertise in social media management. She now operates Harper Hempel Photography and offers customized sessions for individuals, families, and groups.
Her business specializes in senior portraits, family moments, and creative lifestyle shoots. Her eye for detail and ability to capture unique personalities has made her photography business successful.
In addition to photography, Harper became a digital marketer and consultant. She has managed social media accounts and digital marketing strategies for various brands, including Voodoo Ranger, All Social Jessie, Fact & Fiction, and Halo Top Ice Cream. Known for her creativity and professionalism, she collaborates with clients to improve brand visibility and online engagement.
Her role with Fact & Fiction in Colorado involved several advancements, eventually leading her to a partnership position at The Cold Life, a company based in Florida.
Harper emphasizes wellness and positive self-image throughout her work and public presence. She routinely shares productivity tips, wellness insights, and motivational posts across her professional platforms.
Social Media and Personal Projects
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Harper’s social media accounts showcase her photography, lifestyle content, brand collaborations, and motivational messages. She is active on Instagram, where she has more than 59,000 followers. Her posts reflect her focus on travel, wellness, sports, and moments with friends and family. To keep her followers engaged with new ideas and authentic snapshots from her life, she enjoys sharing stories, product recommendations, fashion inspiration, and recipes.
She also produces branded content and collaborates with national brands and influencers.
Relationship with Jamal Murray
Harper Hempel’s relationship with Jamal Murray, standout guard for the Denver Nuggets, has been a source of public curiosity for several years. Their story began at the University of Kentucky, where they met as student athletes. Harper was on the volleyball team while Jamal played basketball.
Together, they faced the challenges of balancing college life, pursuing personal ambitions, and dealing with the early stages of fame. They quietly supported each other while their careers moved forward.
The connection between Jamal and Harper deepened as Jamal entered the NBA in 2016. Harper finished her studies while Jamal started playing professionally, and despite their busy schedules and the distance between Kentucky and Denver, the couple managed to keep their bond strong for a long time.
Their relationship remained mostly private with rare public appearances or posts together. People first took serious notice after a hacking incident in March 2020. An explicit video from Jamal’s Instagram account, which reportedly featured both of them, was leaked online.
After the video started to spread, Harper deactivated her social accounts for a brief period. She issued a public request to stop the spread of the content and stressed that they deserved privacy.
Jamal also apologized publicly and explained that his account had been hacked.
Since that event, Harper and Jamal have chosen to step further away from the spotlight as a couple. They no longer post about each other on social media, and followers noticed that they stopped following each other online. Observers pointed out that Harper deleted most of her content relating to Jamal, and she does not appear alongside him in recent public or digital settings.
Although rumors of a breakup have circulated since 2021, there has been no formal announcement confirming a split. Reporters and fans remain uncertain about their current status since both have not explained whether they are still together or have moved on.
As of October 2025, no credible reports suggest that Harper Hempel is dating anyone else publicly. Some outlets and social posts continue to mention her association with Jamal Murray, while others speculate about single life or new relationships, yet no official new partner has been revealed.
Harper’s focus remains on her business, creative work, and family life. Her accounts feature her own projects, travel experiences, and moments with close friends, but nothing confirming a new romantic relationship.
Why Harper Hempel Changed Her Instagram Account from @harperhempel14 to @harperhempel?
The Instagram account @harperhempel14 was used by Harper Hempel during her college volleyball years. The profile references her jersey number and Ryle High School as well as her time at the University of Kentucky, and the posts focus on sports and earlier milestones.
However, Harper no longer actively uses @harperhempel14 and has moved her main presence to a different account, @harperhempel, where she shares updates about her life and business to a much larger following.
As mentioned above, the change is likely related to her personal growth, rebranding, and a desire for fresh beginnings after difficult times online, especially after the 2020 hacking incident involving her and Jamal Murray, which led her to temporarily deactivate her social media accounts for privacy and emotional well-being. Since then, Harper’s professional and personal content is posted only on her new main account.
Hobbies, Interests, and Community Involvement
Harper spends time exploring new places, sharing experiences, and meeting people with different backgrounds. In addition to photography and marketing, Harper dedicates energy to promoting positive self-esteem and confidence for young women through her social platforms. She talks about wellness, authenticity, and personal achievement. She wants to inspire others to pursue their passions without fear.
Harper enjoys many sports besides volleyball and keeps an active, healthy lifestyle. She stays connected to athletics by joining friends for recreation, supporting sporting events, and spending time outdoors.
Inspiration
Harper Hempel’s story demonstrates the power of hard work, leadership, and resilience. Her path from volleyball player to digital entrepreneur inspires young athletes, future content creators, and anyone who wants to find balance between public and private life.
Each part of her life, including sports, academics, business, and social advocacy, indicates the importance of staying true to your values. She aims to make a positive impact and grow with every new challenge she faces.
