Paul Harris (basketball)

Infobox NCAA Athlete
name = Paul Harris
college = Syracuse
sport = Basketball
position = Shooting guard/ small forward
class = Sophomore
career_start = 2006
jersey = 11
height_ft = 6
height_in = 5
weight_lb = 225
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1986|10|15
birth_place = Niagara Falls, New York
highschool = Notre Dame Prep (Mass.)
awards = 2007 Big East All-Rookie Team

Paul Harris (born October 15, 1986) is a 6'5" American basketball player who plays as a small forward for the Syracuse University Orange.

Niagara Falls High School

Harris led Niagara 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.

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.cite web |title=Paul Harris Profile |url=http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=2141&sport=176&roster=194&path=mbasket |work=SUAthletics.com |accessdate=2007-08-28]

Harris found himself in trouble off the court however, facing minor drug and domestic violence charges for which he spent 13 days in jail.cite web |title=The Fresh Man: After a tumultuous road to Syracuse, Paul Harris is embracing college, stardom and fatherhood in a quest to reshape his image. |first=Matt |last=Gelb |date=2006-11-08 |url=http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2006/11/08/2006BasketballGuide/The-Fresh.Man.After.A.Tumultuous.Road.To.Syracuse.Paul.Harris.Is.Embracing.Colle-2444978.shtml |work=The Daily Orange |accessdate=2007-11-19]

Notre Dame Prep (Mass.)

Harris transferred to Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) before heading to college. While at Notre Dame Prep, Harris had 31 points in a matchup with 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.

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.

College

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 University on November 1st. 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.cite web |title=All-BIG EAST Orange: Nichols, Devendorf, Harris |date=2007-03-05 |url=http://www.suathletics.com/news/basketball/mbasket/2007/3/5/BIGEASTmbb3.5.07.asp?path=mbasket?path=mbasket |work=SUAthletics.com |accessdate=2007-08-28]

2007-2008

Harris improved his statistics across the board during his sophomore campaign and was rewarded with Second Team All Big East honors. [ [http://www.suathletics.com/News/basketball/mbasket/2008/3/10/AllBIGEAST3.10.08.asp?path=mbasket SU Athletics - Flynn, Greene, Harris Earn All-BIG EAST Recognition ] ] He averaged 14.5 points , 8.2 rebounds, 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 respectfully. His mid/long range game appeared much more polished - Harris saw his 3 point percentage sky rocket from 5% to a respectable 32.4%. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31825 ESPN - Paul Harris Stats, News, Photos - Syracuse Orange ] ]

Personal life

Harris has a three year-old son, Paul Harris III, who lives with him on South Campus at Syracuse University.

References

External links

[http://www.suathletics.com/roster.asp?playerid=2141&sport=176&roster=194&path=mbasket 1. SUAthletics.com]