Harris is a player

Don't pigeon hole Paul Harris. He's not a small forward. He's not a point guard. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect from Niagara Falls (N.Y.) High School is a basketball player. Plain and simple. He proved that during the weekend at the Southern Invitational and brought us up to speed with his recruitment, too. Two Big East schools are tops on his list. Is a decision on the way for the five-star prospect?

Harris wears a headband with the phrase "Do it a#11" embroidered in the material. Do it all is the translation. He wears No. 11 in high school. His headband doesn't lie. On the opening night of the Southern Invitational, Harris had 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.

Against the DC Assault, one of the top AAU teams in the country, Harris put in a similar effort with 20 points, 14 boards and five assists.

Harris does do it all but yet people still wonder what kind of player he really is. Questions will follow him wherever he goes. Can he play the point? Is he a small forward? How is his court vision? Can he shoot it? Could he even be a power forward?

Harris doesn't worry about the questions though.

"Honestly, I never really looked at it that way. I just go out there and play basketball," Harris said. "I'm not worried about where I play. If someone is hot, I'll check him regardless if he's a big guy or a little guy. I want to do it all. I want to rebound, pass the ball, score when I need to."

Harris, the No. 15 ranked player in the class of 2006, silences the critics by scoring at will around the cup, passing the ball like an experienced point guard and pulling down rebounds like a big man, a trick he's learned from watching a couple of NBA stars.

"I kind of like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James," Harris said. "They rebound the ball really well and I watch the things that they do and what makes them so successful.

"I don't want to say I play like them but I'm trying to learn what makes them so good, especially rebounding."

Two Big East powers are hoping he brings his versatile game to their respective programs. Harris said Syracuse is high on his list with Pittsburgh close behind.

"I could decide by the end of the month, to be honest with you," Harris said. "I just want to get it out of the way so I can focus on school and the rest of the AAU season."

Harris is also contemplating a move to a prep school. Laurinburg, Winchendon, Notre Dame Prep and South Kent are all possibilities.

People can ask all of the questions they want, he says. The only real question that should be asked of Harris is when will he commit? That should be answered soon. And that is just what Syracuse and Pittsburgh wants to hear.