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14 - Gary Harris

6-4, 205 Shooting Guard
Michigan St. Sophomore
Birthday
09/14/94 (29.5 yrs)
Hometown
Fishers, IN
High School
Hamilton Southeastern
Team Site Profile
Statistics
Athleticism
8
Size
6
Defense
8
Strength
7
Quickness
8
Leadership
8
Jump Shot
8
NBA Ready
8
Ball Handling
7
Potential
8
Passing
8
Intangibles
8

NBA Comparison: OJ Mayo

Strengths: Harris is a very well-rounded 6’4 205 combo guard with a strong overall skill level … Unselfish, willing passer and does a good job of producing while playing a team-oriented game … Adequate athletic ability, and shows good fluidity and body control … Has a nice jump shot, and is confident with shooting as far out as 25 ft … Able to hit shots off the bounce, off screens and with his feet set at a good rate … Does a good job of making subtle moves off the dribble to get space for his shots, set defenders up looking for ways to score … Attacks closeouts well, and can get to the rim effectively when he uses ball fakes and misdirection moves to get a step on the initial defender … Can operate from mid-range, and seems to like doing so … Has good natural shot-making ability, can make jumpers when contested and delivered often when his team needs a key basket … Doesn’t play a flashy game at all, but is highly fundamental and pretty smart … Never has been a turnover prone player … Despite being a hair short of prototypical size for a SG, he has some ability to play occasional minutes as a lead guard … Good awareness, rarely is a step behind the action or asleep on plays … A very solid and well-coached defensive player, and will be able to defend both guard positions in the NBA … Shows the quick hands to get steals (nearly 2 spg as a Soph.), but also is a sound one-on-one defender who has active feet and textbook stance to effectively slow down penetration … Really looked a lot more consistent as a Soph., after a nagging injury slowed him down some as a Fr. … Pretty tough and competitive, proved he can play through injuries and isn’t one to back down from physical play, which was a must playing in the Big 10 … Has good skill level and is the type of worker that will make him a favorite of his coaches … Leads by example, and doesn’t have the kind of attitude that would be a detriment to a team … Will only be 20 when next season starts, has plenty of time to develop more as a player …

Weaknesses: Despite having a reputation for being a cerebral, steady player, he took far too many ill advised shots in the ISO game as a sophomore … Harris is not an overly physically gifted prospect, and is going to be smaller than most NBA SG’s he will have to matchup with regularly … Also not overly lengthy (6’6.75 wingspan) or explosive for a SG prospect to compensate completely … Probably not going to factor very much getting to the rim and finishing amongst the trees, pretty vanilla as a creator when looking to slash … Won’t get a lot of finishes above the rim, though he will surprise at times … At times has to settle for tough jumpers because he doesn’t have the handle or speed to consistently break down a defense … Didn’t shoot as well as it may have seemed this past season (35% from 3), and shot more contested shots than he probably should’ve … Size/athleticism kind of limits what he can do on offense at the next level, will need to perfect some moves and use angles to create scoring opportunities … Can be hedged in pick and roll action by tall and athletic bigs, and can struggle with finding ways to clear the corner to score or make passes … Didn’t get much experience as a lead guard at Michigan State, which would’ve helped ease him into a role better in the NBA as a combo guard …

Overall: Harris has some clear-cut strengths that will help a team, and there is reason to believe he will be a safe pick in the late-lottery or mid-1st round … He is a sound defender, shooter, and provides toughness and a willingness to do unsung work for his team … He’s also a younger prospect for a 2-year player, who will undoubtedly get better with time … His IQ is good, and is a competitive player with high level intangibles … His size makes him a slight tweener and he’s not overly athletic though, so there will be a few limitations to his game at the next level … Still, the good far outweighs the bad and he is one of the better prospects in the 2014 class …

Jorrye Nixon 6/10/14
 

Strengths: Extremely polished, well-rounded player for a college sophomore … Very active hands.  Averaged 1.3 SPG last season … Extremely versatile offensive player who can shoot and drive effectively, shows some combo skills … Harris hit the weights during his freshman year and now has a muscular frame for shooting guard, making him hard to stop in the lane … It also makes him a good rebounder for a guard … Harris is a good shot creator who can accelerate past defenders and finish at the rim … Very effective off the catch-and-shoot … Very good perimeter defender thanks to his lateral quickness, long arms, and instincts.  Does a lot of little things on the defensive end … Excellent transition player who takes the ball to the hoop with force and aggression … Has a good burst, with explosive foot speed off the dribble … Great athlete and a very smooth and fluid player on the court … Deadly three-point shooter who will likely continue to improve as a shooter as he ages … Shot 41% from distance last season … Very hard worker…Good attitude.  Won’t create any negative chemistry issues for his team … Solid length with a 6’6.5 wingspan, helping to make up for his lack of great height … Young for his class, Harris does not turn 19 until September, which gives him even more upside …

Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a ball handler.  Often has a loose handle … At 6’4", is a bit undersized for a shooting guard, his most natural position … Could improve his efficiency inside the three-point line and become more consistent on mid-range jumpers … Not a great off-the-ball player, Harris needs to use screens better to get open for shots … While being a very solid prospect without a sizable basement, his ceiling is not as great as some other prospects …

Overall: Harris is a well-rounded player who can do numerous things to help his team win on both ends of the court.  His game is very advanced for a 19-year-old and if he raises his game to be one of the top players in college basketball next season, he could be right up at the top of this promising draft class…

Notes: Measured Ht w/ shoes: 6’4, Hgt w/o shoes:  6’3, Wgt: 210, W-Span:  6’6.5, Reach: 8’3.5 at 2012 Nike Hoop Summit … Measured 6’5 (in shoes) 205 lbs, with a 6’7 wingspan at the 2013 Kevin Durant Skills Academy … Named 2012 Indiana Mr. Basketball … Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season… Was a star wide receiver on his high school football team, Harris shows a hard-nosed mentality when he is on the court … 

Jacob Stallard 8/25/13

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