Gateway PF Barnett Harris drawing major interest
by Wade Perry
Posted April 21, 2011 6:32 pm
FinestPreps.com has promised to bring you coverage of not only America’s top high school football prospects but the nation’s top high school basketball prospects as well.
Who’s the first basketball prospect to land on the FinestPreps.com blog?
That would be Gateway’s (Monroeville, Pa.) 6’10 power forward Barnett Harris.
Harris is long and lean at 6’10, 190 pounds and moves remarkably well on the basketball hardwood for a player his size.
His excellent footwork and ability to move in space are on fine display in his highlight tape below.
The Monroeville, Pa. native also shows the ability to distribute the basketball with ease and effectiveness.
The lengthy forward also has a beautiful looking spin move when he puts the basketball on the floor–putting his body in the spin cycle like your Maytag washing machine!
For a player his size, he’s blessed with a rare combination of traits on the basketball floor–his passing ability and ability to move in space alone will make him a commidity for Division I-A college basketball coaches.
Currently he boasts scholarship offers from Penn State, Robert Morris, Duquesne, JMU, Central Michigan, Kent State, Eastern Michigan, and UT-Chattanooga.
FinestPreps.com caught up with Harris to talk about the basketball recruitment process.
Below is the interview.
FinestPreps.com Interview with Gateway PF Barnett Harris
FinestPreps.com: Talk about the college basketball recruitment process and how it’s going for you.
Barnett Harris: “It’s going pretty good. It’s starting to warm back up since the season is done. Boston College is starting to show more interest. I’m going up there in a few weeks. Penn State is showing heavy interest. Kent State is showing heavy interest. Bradley is showing interest. Minnesota is showing a little interest. Duquesne and Robert Morris are both showing interest. I’m gonna try to see all of them–see all of their schools, visit them, and see if I like them. But it’s starting to pick back up. They’re starting to send more and more mail, e-mail me, and invite me up to the schools.”
FinestPreps.com: Out of all those schools which ones do you think are the most interested in you?
Barnett Harris: “I’d say Boston College, Penn State, Duquesne, and Kent State.”
FinestPreps.com: Do you have any favorites at this point Barnett?
Barnett Harris: “I like Boston College a good amount, Duquesne, and Kent State. I’ve always wanted to go to their campuses and see them.”
FinestPreps.com: Tell me what you like about those schools, Barnett.
Barnett Harris: “I like Boston College because it’s ACC ball. So it’s a different type of basketball. It’s like mid-conference so I feel like I can fit there and possibly do some damage my freshman year.”
“Duquesne–it’s a mid-major school on the rise. I feel like I could do damage there.”
“Penn State–it’s the Big Ten so that’s a whole different type of ball. Big Ten is always good. Penn State did a really good job this year. I feel like I could probably fit there.”
“Kent State–I feel like I could fit there right away and do something good in the MAC.”
FinestPreps.com: Barnett you move very well for a guy your size at 6’10. Is that something you’ve focused on your basketball career or has that always come to you naturally?
Barnett Harris: “I’m trying to focus on being able to have quick feet and versatility. I played soccer–that helped my footwork. I just feel like I can do something that a lot of big men can’t so I use it to my advantage.”
FinestPreps.com: When do you think you’ll make a decision as far as the recruiting process, Barnett?
Barnett Harris: “Probably by the end of the summer.”
As a junior, Harris averaged 8.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game for the Gateway Gators.
Keep it locked to FinestPreps.com for more on the basketball recruitment of Mr. Harris!
Check out his junior highlight tape below–courtesy of FinestPreps.com!