Gary Harris was part of one of the biggest ‘what if?’ teams in Michigan State basketball history, and now he’s one of the most veteran Spartans in the NBA.
Harris came to Michigan State as a five-star prospect, and many believed he was going to be a one-and-done. He made his case in 33 starts as a true freshman, averaging 12.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He also shot 46 percent from the floor and 41 percent from deep. He looked like a sure-fire pro.
The talented guard decided to come back for one more season, and he upped his game. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 43 percent from the floor. His 3-point percentage dipped to 35 percent as a sophomore, but that’s because his volume increased.
The Michigan State team he was on as a sophomore looked like a legit national title favorite, and made the Elite Eight before running into the buzzsaw that was UConn and Shabazz Napier.
Michigan State was up at halftime before Napier went off for 17 second-half points to lead the Huskies past the Spartans to the Final Four. UConn would end up winning it all, but many believed that this was Izzo’s most talented team since the national title squad.
Harris was selected 19th overall in 2014, and he’s been in the NBA ever since.
Gary Harris is now an NBA journeyman
Two months into his 12th NBA season, it’s clear that Harris is aging. He doesn’t have the same athleticism as he used to, and his offensive game is lacking.
Harris has become more of a 3-and-D type player in his 12th year, and he’s averaging just 14.7 minutes per game with his third team, the Milwaukee Bucks, as of Dec. 29. He’s in his first season with Milwaukee, averaging 2.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.7 steals in just under 15 minutes. However, he may be looking at a role increase due to injuries.
Still, Harris is a far cry from his Denver Nuggets days when he was averaging in the teens in 30-plus minutes per game, but now he’s just there for a veteran presence.
You can’t knock the Spartan for carving out a decade-plus-long NBA career, though.