George Washington University Athletics
Photo by: Mitchell Layton
Dynamite Debut
12/30/2019 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Harris made fantastic first impression in win over Longwood
Amir Harris got the call 87 seconds into Saturday's contest vs. Longwood.
After watching his team get off to a sluggish start on its home court, GW head coach Jamion Christian tapped the Nebraska transfer to inject a jolt of energy in his Buff and Blue debut.
Coming off the bench, Harris was more than ready after watching the first 11 games of the season from the sideline.
After watching his team get off to a sluggish start on its home court, GW head coach Jamion Christian tapped the Nebraska transfer to inject a jolt of energy in his Buff and Blue debut.
Coming off the bench, Harris was more than ready after watching the first 11 games of the season from the sideline.
"I was nervous, but I always think if you get nerves about something like that, then you're doing something right," Harris said. "That kind of approach made me really happy to be back out there and appreciate it more."
Harris met the challenge in GW's 78-65 victory over the Lancers in its non-conference home finale, flashing the stat-stuffing skills that have intrigued Christian since he first saw the long and athletic guard play as a 14-year-old.
Harris showed few signs of rust as he piled up 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, plus a team-high eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. The local product out of Frederick Md., posted a plus-minus rating of +26 over 26 minutes in his first game action since last March.
"I just felt like he was doing so many good things for us," Christian said. "The way he was moving the ball, scoring the ball, I was just so impressed with him. He's a guy who can really help our team grow, and he did a great job of that today."
Harris had his patience tested over the first seven weeks of his sophomore season.
First, he waited for his transfer waiver for immediate eligibility to be approved by the NCAA. That good news came on Nov. 13.
Then, Harris had to get back to full health. The training staff was careful to make sure not to rush the process. He was cleared to return to practice a few weeks ago, and he's continued working diligently behind the scenes to get ready for his debut.
Along the way, Harris did his best to make the most of his time on the sideline.
Watching the action in a polo shirt and loafers gave him a different perspective. He focused on the coaching staff during games and took mental notes on the intricacies of Christian's system.
Beyond the Xs and Os, the wait only ramped up his excitement to be a part of the MAYHEM.
"I knew I had to bring the energy," Harris said. "That's one thing you can really see on the bench: Just how much the energy and momentum affect us."
Harris delivered on that promise vs. Longwood to make a difference on both ends.
His first points as a Colonial came via a stepback 3-pointer with a defender in his face to beat the shot clock. He quickly followed that tough triple with a steal to set up a Maceo Jack 3-point play in transition as part of a 21-0 first-half run that turned a deficit into a double-digit lead.
"It was like all my nerves went away," Harris said of the highlight-reel shot. "I was like 'Alright, I can just play now.'"
In the second half, Harris drained a more conventional three-ball in a huge spot.
After Longwood had edged within 56-54 with eight minutes to go, the 6-foot-5 guard took a pass from Armel Potter and drained a high-arching jumper to ignite a quick 9-0 burst that put the game out of reach.
"I've been working on my shot a lot over the summer and throughout my injury – just working on the form and getting my legs into it," Harris said. "Getting comfortable with it and having the confidence to take it into the game is really that next step for me, I think."
Harris admits he'll need time to get fully back into the flow of the game, but there was plenty to like in his debut.
Defensively, Harris' size disrupted the Lancers, highlighted by a pair of blocked 3-pointers. He battled on the boards all afternoon with seven of his eight rebounds on the defensive glass.
Beyond his 3-point prowess, he showed the ability to create off the dribble in the second half with a drive and dish to Chase Paar for his first collegiate points.
In the final minute, Harris put an exclamation point on a memorable debut, rising to throw down a transition dunk that sent the GW bench into hysterics and brought the Smith Center crowd to full throat.
"It was really great because I know how hard he's worked to get back on the floor," said Jack, who posted a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting. "It was just amazing to see him play loose and have fun and have no worries out there."
The performance was no surprise to Christian, who has talked often about how excited he is to have Harris in the program.
While he was at nearby Mount St. Mary's, Christian followed Harris' prep career closely. When the guard was looking for a new home after a season in the Big 10, the coach was eager to bring him to Foggy Bottom.
It's been a great fit so far for Harris, who is excited about building on his strong start as he prepares for his first taste of Atlantic 10 play.
"I just want to do my part," Harris said. "I try to lock in on defense as much as I can, and I think I can really help them rebounding and just being a playmaker. I want to be that guy for my teammates."
Harris met the challenge in GW's 78-65 victory over the Lancers in its non-conference home finale, flashing the stat-stuffing skills that have intrigued Christian since he first saw the long and athletic guard play as a 14-year-old.
Harris showed few signs of rust as he piled up 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, plus a team-high eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. The local product out of Frederick Md., posted a plus-minus rating of +26 over 26 minutes in his first game action since last March.
"I just felt like he was doing so many good things for us," Christian said. "The way he was moving the ball, scoring the ball, I was just so impressed with him. He's a guy who can really help our team grow, and he did a great job of that today."
Harris had his patience tested over the first seven weeks of his sophomore season.
First, he waited for his transfer waiver for immediate eligibility to be approved by the NCAA. That good news came on Nov. 13.
Then, Harris had to get back to full health. The training staff was careful to make sure not to rush the process. He was cleared to return to practice a few weeks ago, and he's continued working diligently behind the scenes to get ready for his debut.
Along the way, Harris did his best to make the most of his time on the sideline.
Watching the action in a polo shirt and loafers gave him a different perspective. He focused on the coaching staff during games and took mental notes on the intricacies of Christian's system.
Beyond the Xs and Os, the wait only ramped up his excitement to be a part of the MAYHEM.
"I knew I had to bring the energy," Harris said. "That's one thing you can really see on the bench: Just how much the energy and momentum affect us."
Harris delivered on that promise vs. Longwood to make a difference on both ends.
His first points as a Colonial came via a stepback 3-pointer with a defender in his face to beat the shot clock. He quickly followed that tough triple with a steal to set up a Maceo Jack 3-point play in transition as part of a 21-0 first-half run that turned a deficit into a double-digit lead.
"It was like all my nerves went away," Harris said of the highlight-reel shot. "I was like 'Alright, I can just play now.'"
In the second half, Harris drained a more conventional three-ball in a huge spot.
After Longwood had edged within 56-54 with eight minutes to go, the 6-foot-5 guard took a pass from Armel Potter and drained a high-arching jumper to ignite a quick 9-0 burst that put the game out of reach.
"I've been working on my shot a lot over the summer and throughout my injury – just working on the form and getting my legs into it," Harris said. "Getting comfortable with it and having the confidence to take it into the game is really that next step for me, I think."
Harris admits he'll need time to get fully back into the flow of the game, but there was plenty to like in his debut.
Defensively, Harris' size disrupted the Lancers, highlighted by a pair of blocked 3-pointers. He battled on the boards all afternoon with seven of his eight rebounds on the defensive glass.
Beyond his 3-point prowess, he showed the ability to create off the dribble in the second half with a drive and dish to Chase Paar for his first collegiate points.
In the final minute, Harris put an exclamation point on a memorable debut, rising to throw down a transition dunk that sent the GW bench into hysterics and brought the Smith Center crowd to full throat.
"It was really great because I know how hard he's worked to get back on the floor," said Jack, who posted a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting. "It was just amazing to see him play loose and have fun and have no worries out there."
The performance was no surprise to Christian, who has talked often about how excited he is to have Harris in the program.
While he was at nearby Mount St. Mary's, Christian followed Harris' prep career closely. When the guard was looking for a new home after a season in the Big 10, the coach was eager to bring him to Foggy Bottom.
It's been a great fit so far for Harris, who is excited about building on his strong start as he prepares for his first taste of Atlantic 10 play.
"I just want to do my part," Harris said. "I try to lock in on defense as much as I can, and I think I can really help them rebounding and just being a playmaker. I want to be that guy for my teammates."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballGW Men's Basketball vs. St. Bonaventure (Post-Game Press Conference)
Thursday, March 05
GW Men's Basketball vs. Dayton (Post-Game Press Conference)
Saturday, February 28
GW Men's Basketball vs George Mason (Post-Game Press Conference)
Saturday, February 14
GW Men's Basketball vs. Rhode Island (Post-Game Press Conference)
Wednesday, February 11