Paul Harris (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Paul Harris is an American
professional basketball
player who recently played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association
. He played in college for the Syracuse Orange.
to the 2005 New York State Class AA Championship averaging 19.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He was recognized as the tournament MVP after scoring 19 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists in the championship match, overcoming a broken thumb in his shooting hand in the process.
Harris was named first-team all-state in 2005 as Niagara Falls finished 28-1 and third in the national USA Today rankings. He scored 24 points to lead the West to a 110-77 victory against the East in the 2005 Niagara PAL/ACE Showcase game in April and had 16 points for the Black Jerseys in the 2006 Jordan All-American Classic.
Harris found himself in trouble off the court, however, facing minor drug and domestic violence charges for which he spent 13 days in jail.
Harris transferred to Notre Dame Prep
in Massachusetts
. While at Notre Dame Prep, Harris scored 31 points against Northfield Mount Herman, 26 points and 14 rebounds versus Blair Academy and 25 points against Winchendon School. He was a second-team member of the 2006 All-USA squad selected by USA Today. He played with a number of well-known players while in high school, including future Syracuse teammate Jonny Flynn
, Michael Beasley
, Lazar Hayward
, and Derrick Caracter
.
The following year, Harris played in the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit game between the USA Junior Select Team and the World Select Team. He had a team-high seven rebounds and six assists, as well as six points in the 109-91 victory.
on November 1. In his first six games, Harris averaged 12.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He finished the season averaging 8.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. At the end of the season, Harris was selected to the Big East All Rookie Team.
, 3.3 assists
, and 1.7 steals per game. His shooting touch improved tremendously as his field goal percentage and free throw shooting increased 3.6 and 4.9, percentage points respectively. His mid/long range game appeared much more polished - Harris saw his 3 point percentage sky rocket from 5% to a respectable 32.4%.
On December 30, 2008, Harris injured his finger against Seton Hall and needed six stitches. He missed the following game against South Florida. In Syracuse's epic 127-117 win against Connecticut in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament on March 12, 2009, Harris played 56 minutes, scored 29 points and grabbed 22 rebounds.
. He was not drafted, but played alongside Jonny Flynn as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves' summer league team. After not being offered a spot on the Timberwolves' preseason roster, the Utah Jazz
invited Harris to attend their preseason training camp. However, Harris injured his ankle the week before camp began and didn't heal in time to participate and was then waived by the Jazz on October 22.
On November 5, 2009, Harris was drafted by the Maine Red Claws with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Development League Draft
. However, Harris never officially played a game for the Red Claws, instead opting for season ending ankle surgery.
Harris played for the Utah Jazz
in the Orlando Pro Summer League in 2010. In January 2011, Paul Harris, citing a lack of playing time with the Red Claws, left the team and accepted an offer to join the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association
. The Tropang Texters won the 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup
4-2 over the Barangay Ginebra Kings
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who recently played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
. He played in college for the Syracuse Orange.
High school
Harris led Niagara Falls High SchoolNiagara Falls High School
Niagara Falls High School is a high school located at 4455 Porter Road in Niagara Falls New York. Niagara Falls High School was established in 2000, with the merging of the "old" Niagara Falls High School and La Salle High School, both located in Niagara Falls...
to the 2005 New York State Class AA Championship averaging 19.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He was recognized as the tournament MVP after scoring 19 points, along with eight rebounds and four assists in the championship match, overcoming a broken thumb in his shooting hand in the process.
Harris was named first-team all-state in 2005 as Niagara Falls finished 28-1 and third in the national USA Today rankings. He scored 24 points to lead the West to a 110-77 victory against the East in the 2005 Niagara PAL/ACE Showcase game in April and had 16 points for the Black Jerseys in the 2006 Jordan All-American Classic.
Harris found himself in trouble off the court, however, facing minor drug and domestic violence charges for which he spent 13 days in jail.
Harris transferred to Notre Dame Prep
Notre Dame Preparatory School (Fitchburg, Massachusetts)
Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic high school in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. The population of the school is average 32–42 students. It is a small sized boarding and day school...
in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. While at Notre Dame Prep, Harris scored 31 points against Northfield Mount Herman, 26 points and 14 rebounds versus Blair Academy and 25 points against Winchendon School. He was a second-team member of the 2006 All-USA squad selected by USA Today. He played with a number of well-known players while in high school, including future Syracuse teammate Jonny Flynn
Jonny Flynn
Jonny William Flynn is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
, Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley
Michael Paul Beasley, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association . He plays both forward positions, and shoots his jump shot left-handed, though he is also ambidextrous...
, Lazar Hayward
Lazar Hayward
Lazar Miller Hayward is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA. He was a college standout for Marquette University.-High school career:...
, and Derrick Caracter
Derrick Caracter
Derrick Caracter is a power forward–center for the Los Angeles Lakers.Caracter grew up in Fanwood, New Jersey. He played high school basketball at St. Patrick High School as a freshman, and attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a sophomore, to team with fellow SPF native, and subsequent...
.
Team USA
Harris was a member of the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival squad that captured the gold medal at the 2005 International Sports Invitational. Harris tallied 28 points in the gold-medal game and led the seven-team field in rebounding average (9.0) and ranked fifth in scoring average (16.8).The following year, Harris played in the 2006 Nike Hoop Summit game between the USA Junior Select Team and the World Select Team. He had a team-high seven rebounds and six assists, as well as six points in the 109-91 victory.
2006-2007
Harris was named the 2006-2007 Big East preseason Rookie of the Year, and made his Syracuse University debut in an exhibition victory against Bryant UniversityBryant University
Bryant University is a private university located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, U.S., that grants the degrees of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and master's degrees in business, taxation and accounting. Until August 2004, it was known as Bryant College...
on November 1. In his first six games, Harris averaged 12.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He finished the season averaging 8.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. At the end of the season, Harris was selected to the Big East All Rookie Team.
2007-2008
Harris improved his statistics across the board during his sophomore campaign and was rewarded with Second Team All Big East honors. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.2 reboundsRebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
, 3.3 assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
, and 1.7 steals per game. His shooting touch improved tremendously as his field goal percentage and free throw shooting increased 3.6 and 4.9, percentage points respectively. His mid/long range game appeared much more polished - Harris saw his 3 point percentage sky rocket from 5% to a respectable 32.4%.
2008-2009
In his final season at Syracuse, Harris averaged 12 points and led the team with 8.1 rebounds.On December 30, 2008, Harris injured his finger against Seton Hall and needed six stitches. He missed the following game against South Florida. In Syracuse's epic 127-117 win against Connecticut in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament on March 12, 2009, Harris played 56 minutes, scored 29 points and grabbed 22 rebounds.
Professional career
After the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, Harris declared himself eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA Draft was held on June 25, 2009, the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
. He was not drafted, but played alongside Jonny Flynn as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves' summer league team. After not being offered a spot on the Timberwolves' preseason roster, the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
invited Harris to attend their preseason training camp. However, Harris injured his ankle the week before camp began and didn't heal in time to participate and was then waived by the Jazz on October 22.
On November 5, 2009, Harris was drafted by the Maine Red Claws with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Development League Draft
2009 NBA Development League Draft
The 2009 NBA Development League Draft was the ninth draft of the National Basketball Association Development League . The draft was held on November 5, 2009 before the 2009–10 season. In this draft, all 16 of the league's teams took turns selecting eligible players. The D-League uses a...
. However, Harris never officially played a game for the Red Claws, instead opting for season ending ankle surgery.
Harris played for the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the Orlando Pro Summer League in 2010. In January 2011, Paul Harris, citing a lack of playing time with the Red Claws, left the team and accepted an offer to join the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
. The Tropang Texters won the 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup
2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup
-Air21-Alaska series:-Talk 'N Text-Air21 series:-Smart Gilas-Barangay Ginebra series:-Finals:- Imports :The following is the list of imports, which had played for their respective teams at least once, with the returning imports in italics...
4-2 over the Barangay Ginebra Kings
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
.