Michigan State just scored a huge W by landing Eron Harris who decided to transfer from West Virginia University to play basketball at Michigan State. Watch the video above to see highlights and analysis on Harris.
Here’s what you need to know about the NCAA basketball star:
1. He Was Looking for a More Compatible Coach
Yikes: 12 of last 16 players Huggins has signed have transferred or won't play at WVU http://t.co/2vvhgu8TeG
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) May 16, 2014
Harris left West Virginia after his sophomore season this year and has two years of eligibility at Michigan State, however he will not be able to play this season.
Harris was known to be looking to transfer before the transaction took place.
ESPN analyst Jeff Goodman predicted that the standout would soon be heading to Michigan State saying:
All signs pointing to West Va transfer Eron Harris becoming a Spartan. Did not visit Michigan this weekend. Also considering Purdue.”
That would place him in the class with the current players who will be sophomores this fall, point guard Alvin Ellis III and forwards Gavin Schilling and Kenny Kaminski.
It would balance the class with another guard. Harris will have to sit out the 2014-2015 season as a mandatory redshirt under NCAA transfer regulations, but he will have two seasons of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015-2016. And while his impact won’t be felt immediately, Harris, a native of Indiana, will add a nice scoring boost to a Spartan back court that is losing Gary Harris and Keith Appling this season.
2. He Was a Great Mid-Range Shooter His 2 Years at WVU
Great video from @umhoops on Eron Harris. Video and stats agree on strong O, weak D. Seems like poor man's Stauskas. With a year to improve.
— Joe Tuohey (@Jobin2E) June 9, 2014
Michigan State was ecstatic to receive Harris in the transfer with a desperation to have a clutch scorer from the perimeter. Harris averaged 17.2 points last season with a 42.2 percent shooting average from three at WVU. Harris was the third recruit to commmit to Tom Izzo’s 2014-15 roster, along with power forward Deyonta Davis wing Kyle Ahrens.
Harris excelled in the deep range scoring 26 of his 28 points in the second half of a win in overtime against Oklahoma this past February, along with another clutch 28 points in a huge win against Kansas in March.
Despite his success, Harris did not get to the free-throw line in 3-4 of his last games. At the Big 12 tournament, Harris fouled out and only managed to score 3 points in a serious loss against Texas.
3. He is From Indianapolis
Ex-Lawrence North standout Eron Harris transfers to Michigan State:
http://t.co/164PwVr1Vu pic.twitter.com/n90Y0QOcS9
— IndyStar Sports (@IndyStarSports) June 9, 2014
Harris was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. This coincided with his choice to consider Purdue as another possibility to transfer to.
Harris told WV MetroNews:
I have enjoyed my time at West Virginia University the past two years, but I want to transfer closer to home,” Harris said in a statement Match 24. “I want to be closer to my family, especially being around my little brother.”
Harris looked closely into Purdue who’s campus is only an hour from his hometown along with New Mexico and UCLA who he considered briefly. His father, Eric Harris, said the the geography was less important than finding the right coach for his son.
Harris’s home is in the core of Big Ten country, automatically making him into a huge fan of programs such as MSU’s. Michigan State’s campus in East Lansing is 253 miles from Indianapolis, 127 miles closer than WVU’s in Morgantown.
4. WVU Coach Bob Huggins Isn’t Worried
Bob Huggins had his right hip replaced this a.m. Surgery went well, though doc sources say it's easier to replace a hip than an Eron Harris.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) June 9, 2014
Coach Huggins has the 3rd most wins of any active coach in NCAA basketball history. The experienced coach says he is not worried about the transfer of Eron Harris along with the rest of the staff who believes WVU will excel despite losing the talented guard.
Click here to read more about Huggins’ thoughts on the losing Harris.
Harris’ father said of WVU coach, Bob Huggins:
We respected (West Virginia coach Bob Huggins’) coaching style but it probably wasn’t the best fit. Looking for that right fit as far as a coach goes is probably the biggest thing.”
5. He is a Guard
Eron Harris is transferring to Michigan State. Sophomore G averaged 17.2 Pts for West Virginia last season. pic.twitter.com/1OP4m7VsCp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 9, 2014
The 6’3 basketball player played guard for WVU for his first two years in school.
Click here to see his stats.
