Harper Hempel: Who Is Jamal Murray’s Girlfriend? Her Life, Career, and Story
Harper Hempel is an American photographer, marketing professional, and social media personality who became widely known as the long-term girlfriend of NBA star Jamal Murray. While many people first heard her name in connection with Murray, Harper is much more than just a famous athlete’s partner. She is a skilled professional who has built her own career in photography and digital marketing. Born and raised in Kentucky, she grew up in a sports-loving family and went on to play college volleyball at a high level. Today, she lives in Atlanta and continues to grow both personally and professionally.
Detailed Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harper Hempel |
| Date of Birth | August 31, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Union, Kentucky, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m) |
| Eye Colour | Grey |
| Hair Colour | Blonde |
| Father | Richard Hempel |
| Mother | Colleen Hempel |
| Sibling | Conner Hempel (Brother) |
| Education | University of Kentucky (B.S. Marketing, Minor in Digital Media) |
| High School | Larry A. Ryle High School, Kentucky |
| Profession | Photographer, Social Media Manager, Marketing Professional |
| Current Role | Head of Partnerships at The Cold Life |
| Partner | Jamal Murray |
| Child | One daughter (born approx. mid-2023) |
| Current Residence | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Net Worth | Estimated $150,000 to $1 million |
| @harperhempel |
Early Life and Family Background
Harper Hempel was born on August 31, 1996, in Union, Kentucky, USA. She grew up in a warm and supportive family that had a deep connection to both sports and business. Her father, Richard Hempel, is the co-founder and CEO of eCoachSports, an online platform that gives professional basketball coaching to coaches and players at a high level. This sports-focused environment shaped Harper’s love for athletics from a very young age.
Her mother, Colleen Hempel, has a background in marketing and holds a business degree from the University of Kentucky. This likely played a big part in Harper’s own passion for marketing and digital media. Harper also has an older brother named Conner Hempel, who is a Harvard University graduate and played college football as a quarterback. Growing up in such an active and driven household clearly helped Harper develop her own strong work ethic and competitive spirit.
Education
Harper attended Larry A. Ryle High School in Kentucky, where she was already standing out as a talented volleyball player. She was a four-year starter on the school team and earned three All-State selections from the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association. In her senior year, she also received the District MVP award, showing that her talent on the court was real and consistent.
After finishing high school, she enrolled at the University of Kentucky, one of the most respected universities in the state. There, she studied Marketing with a Minor in Digital Media at the Gatton College of Business and Economics. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree, which helped her move into the world of digital marketing and photography after her athletic career at university came to an end.
Volleyball Career
Harper was a serious volleyball player throughout her school and college years. At the University of Kentucky, she played as a defensive specialist and libero, which are positions that require quick thinking, fast reflexes, and excellent defensive skills. She was a Division I athlete, which is the highest level of college sport in the United States.
She represented Kentucky Volleyball and was respected by her teammates and coaches. Her volleyball career gave her discipline and a strong sense of teamwork. Although she did not go on to play professionally after college, her time as an athlete shaped her character and gave her the drive she needed to build a successful career outside of sport.
Professional Career
After graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2018, Harper built a well-rounded career in photography and digital marketing. She founded Harper Hempel Photography, her own photography business based in Kentucky. Her work covers couple photography, fashion shoots, portrait sessions, family photos, and senior pictures. Her creative eye and personal style have helped her build a loyal client base.
Beyond photography, Harper has worked with several well-known brands as a social media manager. She has managed online accounts and digital campaigns for brands like Voodoo Ranger, Halo Top Ice Cream, and Fact and Fiction. She later moved into a senior role at Fact and Fiction as a Senior Social Media Manager. Most recently, she has been working as the Head of Partnerships at The Cold Life, a luxury health and wellness brand based in Atlanta. This role shows how far she has grown from being simply a college athlete into a sharp and capable marketing professional.
Relationship with Jamal Murray
Harper Hempel and Jamal Murray first met at the University of Kentucky around 2015 and 2016. At that time, Murray was playing basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats in his one and only college season, while Harper was already in her sophomore year and playing volleyball. The two built a connection during their time on campus, and their relationship has continued for nearly a decade since then.
Murray was selected in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets and went on to become one of the most exciting players in the league. Despite his rising fame, both Harper and Jamal have always kept their relationship very private. They rarely post about each other on social media, and neither has officially confirmed many details about their personal life together. In January 2025, it became publicly known that the couple had welcomed a daughter together, who was already around 18 months old at the time.
The 2020 Controversy
In March 2020, Harper and Jamal were pulled into a very public and unwanted situation. A private and explicit video of the couple was uploaded to Murray’s Instagram Story without their consent. Murray quickly addressed the situation, stating that his account had been hacked and that he was working to resolve the issue. Harper also took to her own Instagram to ask people who had seen or saved the video to delete it out of respect for their privacy.
The incident attracted a lot of media attention and brought Harper into the spotlight in a way she had never wanted. Both she and Murray handled the situation with as much dignity as possible. The couple chose not to speak about it in detail publicly, and over time, the story faded. What it showed, however, was the kind of unwanted pressure that public figures and their partners can face in the age of social media.
Life Today
Today, Harper Hempel lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and continues to grow her career in marketing and photography. She is active on Instagram under the handle @harperhempel, where she shares glimpses of her lifestyle, travel, and creative work with over 57,000 followers. She keeps a healthy balance between her professional life and her personal life, choosing to share only what she is comfortable with publicly.
As the mother of Jamal Murray’s daughter, Harper has taken on a new and important role in her personal life. She and Murray continue to be in a long-term relationship, and despite all the media attention that comes with dating an NBA star, Harper has always stayed grounded and focused on her own path. She is proof that you can have your own identity and career while being connected to someone famous.
Conclusion
Harper Hempel is a talented, driven, and private individual who has built a real career on her own terms. From her days as a Division I volleyball player in Kentucky to running her own photography business and working in top marketing roles in Atlanta, she has shown steady growth and purpose. Her story reminds us that there is always more to a person than the headline that introduces them to the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Harper Hempel?
Harper Hempel is an American photographer, social media manager, and marketing professional. She is best known as the long-term girlfriend of Denver Nuggets NBA player Jamal Murray.
Q2. Where is Harper Hempel from?
Harper was born and raised in Union, Kentucky, USA. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Q3. What does Harper Hempel do for work?
Harper owns her own photography business called Harper Hempel Photography. She also works in digital marketing and currently serves as the Head of Partnerships at The Cold Life, a luxury health and wellness brand.
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