Harper Hempel From Volleyball Star to Digital Entrepreneur Net Worth, Career, and the Viral Controversy

Harper Hempel is an American photographer, digital marketer, and former collegiate athlete, well known for her association with basketball player Jamal Murray, who plays in the NBA. Apart from being the boyfriend of the basketball player, Hempel is a photographer and social media consultant in her own right and a personality in her own regard.

Early Life and Education

Harper Hempel was born on August 31, 1997, in Union, Kentucky. Her parents are Richard and Colleen Hempel. Her father, Richard, is the CEO and co-founder of eCoachSports, an online coaching technology for basketball coaches. Harper has one brother, Conner Hempel, who was a college football player at Harvard University.

Hempel went to Ryle High School, where she played volleyball and won several awards such as the 2011 Team Leadership Award and the District MVP award during her senior years. She also played at the University of Kentucky as a defensive specialist and a setter for the Wildcats volleyball team from 2015 to 2017. As a sophomore, she appeared in 13 matches with 20 kills and three assists.

Academically, Hempel pursued a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Digital Media from the Gatton School of Business and the University of Kentucky and graduated in 2018.

Professional Career

Photography

Harper Hempel established Harper Hempel Photography, a Kentucky business that deals with couple, fashion, and portrait photography. She delivers personalized work through personalized sessions, during which she concentrates on family photos, senior photos, and group pictures. Hempel’s work captures her creativity and has been one of the driving forces behind her professional identity.

Digital Marketing and Social Media Management

Besides photography, Hempel has also carved a career as a digital marketer and social media manager. She has worked with various brands such as Voodoo Ranger, All Social Jessie, Fact & Fiction, and Halo Top Ice Cream and managed their social media accounts and online presence. Her marketing and digital media expertise have helped her become a multi-income earner and showcase herself as a many-faceted professional.

Relationship with Jamal Murray

Harper Hempel and Jamal Murray initially met when both of them were at the University of Kentucky, where Hempel was a sophomore volleyball player and Murray was a freshman basketball player. They started dating in the 2015–2016 school year. Following Murray’s ascent to the NBA and relocation to Denver, the couple did long-distance, with Hempel remaining in Kentucky to finish her degree.

The two were thrust into the spotlight in March 2020 when a graphic video was shared on Murray’s Instagram page. Murray stated that his account was hacked, and he and Hempel both apologized for the situation, asking for privacy and for everyone to take down the video. Hempel shut down her social media accounts temporarily after the ordeal but has since become active again on Instagram, where she shares updates about her life and career.

Net Income and Worth

Harper Hempel’s net worth is estimated at $1 million, which she earns from her photography business, online marketing, and social media management. Her varied professional undertakings and strategic affiliations have helped her become financially wealthy and prominent in the public sphere.

Social Media Presence

Hempel is active on Instagram, where she posts things related to her professional life as a photographer, travels, and lifestyle. She has over 61,000 followers as of May 2025. She typically posts about her career, hobby, and life moments, showing her multidimensional personality and work.

Conclusion

Harper Hempel embodies the definition of a mix of athleticism, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Starting from her early days as a volleyball player to her business transactions involving photography and internet marketing, she has built a multifaceted career that stands independently of her relationship with Jamal Murray. Despite her publicized setbacks, Hempel has been resilient and continued to thrive professionally with an active online presence and entrepreneurial activity.