Scouting Report: Gary Harris, G, Michigan State
If the draft took place immediately after the NCAA Tournament, Gary Harris would have had little to worry about, having gone out in the Elite Eight guns blazing, scoring 22 points against eventual champion Connecticut. Still, it's not as if putting Harris in shooting drills is going to hurt his stock any, though a minor groin injury limited him early in the pre-draft process. Teams may question his position, but there's no question he's one of the elite scorers available.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG/PG | 13 | 10 | 6' 2.5" | 205 |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 6.75" | n/a | 8' | 8.5 | n/a |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 16.7 | 4 | 2.7 | 42.9% | 35.2% |
| 2012-13 | 12.9 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 45.6% | 41.1% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Harris can hit from most anywhere you'd ask him too ... sometimes. His stroke was streaky in college but looks pure, providing a nice complement to his slashing game. He handles the ball well, too, keeping his dribble tight and his movements quick, which is a positive since teams would probably prefer him to be a point guard than an undersized two. Harris is also an active and savvy defender, though he'd be exploitable on the block as a shooting guard.
Weaknesses: As mentioned, Harris' potential is limited if teams see him as a two guard, as he's undersized for that position, and his streaky shooting casts shade on his potential range. He'd also need to learn to run an offense a bit better if he's to be made into a one. Being a sophomore would hurt some, too, if he weren't the youngest sophomore in the draft, even younger than freshman guard Tyler Ennis.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Where Harris ultimately lands likely depends on how he performed in shooting drills for teams and how he fared when matched up against other point guard prospects. Without being privy to those results, Harris' draft range remains wide. It would be tough to justify him going higher than No. 9, but even if he's jumped by fellow combo-guard Nik Stauskas, it's unlikely Harris would slide out of the lottery altogether.