Harris Has Skills To Be Big-Time Player

Ivan Harris had a great summer. He was especially impressive at the ABCD camp last July. Many basketball experts even thought of him so much to list him in the top 25. RivalsHoops.com listed Harris also in the top 25 because of his polished shooting skills.

At Oak Hill Academy this year, Harris has had some great games. But due to the way the Oak Hill offense is run, he isn't the first or second option. When you have players like Isaiah Swann, J.R. Reynolds, Dion Dacons, and Marcus Williams, your touches will be limited.

Harris, who is currently being considered by the McDonald's All American committee, is averaging about 12 points a game and six rebounds per contest. "He has had some great games for us," said Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith. "What Ivan needs to do more is to go to the basket. He can do it. He has to get a little bit stronger. He is certainly skilled enough to be a great player at Ohio State."

Harris, who signed an LOI with the Buckeyes last Fall, will be counted on heavily over the next four seasons in Columbus. "He is a very skilled player," Smith said. "He's not a physical player yet. Once he becomes more physical this will open up more offensive chances for him. Ivan is a very good free throw shooter but he doesn't get to the line much. Once he establishes a more physical part of his game, he will get to the line more and score many more points than he is right now."

Harris, a scoring wing player who played last year at Springfield South High School in Ohio, is a lefty with skills that allow him to play two different positions along the frontline. Harris possesses a sweet touch from the outside but he is much more than that offensively. He scores his points in the flow of the game. Harris rarely forces the issue offensively.

Harris, who averaged 20 points and nine rebounds last year, is one of the select few that is still being considered for the spring McDonald's All American game. The selections will be announced at the end of the month.