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Paul Harris profile
RCSI: 10 (2006)
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
Position: SF
High School: Notre Dame Preparatory School (Massachusetts)
Hometown: Niagara Falls, NY
AAU: GC Ballers
College: Syracuse
Current Team: Phoenix Fuel Masters
Win - Loss: 10 - 10
Paul Harris interview with DraftExpress.com

Articles

A.T.T.A.C.K. Athletics Workout

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
May 26, 2009, 12:39 am
Interview:



Workout Webisode:



Analysis:

Out of all the players here, Paul Harris may have left the best impression on us relative to our expectations going in. Harris is incredibly impressive from a physical standpoint first and foremost, boasting a chiseled frame, strong athleticism and extremely long arms, but he also looked pretty good from a skills standpoint as well.

Harris has been working quite a bit on his shooting mechanics over the past few weeks with shooting coach Tim Sullivan, and the results were fairly impressive from what we were able to see. He made shots at a pretty good rate (much better than we thought he would at least), both spotting up and off the dribble. While his ball-handling skills looked improvable, it’s pretty safe to say that no one is going to sign him for what he does on the offensive end of the floor.

Defensively is where Harris really shined, showing absolute lock-down ability on anyone he was asked to guard, and really making his presence felt with his combination of toughness and tenacity. The theme of this year’s NBA playoffs for us probably is just how incredibly physical the games are, and if there was any player that embodied that spirit in this gym, it was Harris. Mike Procopio compares him to the likes of Tony Allen and DeShawn Stevenson, and after seeing him in action in this setting, it wasn’t hard to see why.

It will be interesting to see what the reaction is to Harris once he starts making the rounds for private workouts. It’s not tough to see some NBA coach falling in love with what he could bring to practice day in and day out, and the success of players like Dahntay Jones this season could help Harris out.

Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Big East (Part Four: #16-20)

Rodger Bohn
Rodger Bohn
Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Scott Nadler
Scott Nadler
Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Joey Whelan
Joey Whelan
Nov 03, 2008, 12:28 am
After playing a hefty 36 minutes per game last season as a sophomore, Paul Harris’ role on Syracuse is not likely to decrease, given his squad's lack of experience. With Donte Greene's departure to the NBA, there will be plenty of scoring opportunities opening up for him to bolster his numbers.

At only 6'4, he is severely undersized for a player best suited to play the small forward position. However, he does make up for his lack of height with an enormous wingspan and absolutely chiseled frame. He's not lacking in terms of leaping ability or quickness by any means either, giving him an impressive physical package to work with.

The strength of Harris' offensive game is his ability to get to the rim and finish with either hand in traffic. Harris takes the ball extremely hard to the basket, gets to the free throw line at a great rate. Capable of going both left and right equally well, he is blessed with a nice first step and creative ball handling skills for a wing.

Equally as impressive is his ability to find the open man, both in transition and in a half court setting. The fact that the Niagara Falls native played point guard for stretches at the prep level surely benefits him in this facet of the game. The problem is that Harris often forces the issue and freezes his teammates out, looking quite selfish and often out of control in the process. He turned the ball over on nearly 1/4th of his possessions last season, which is an alarmingly high rate. His 117 turnovers last season ranked 8th amongst all players in our database. Considering the fact that he will be a complimentary player at the next level, he must learn to reign himself in better.

The biggest weakness of Harris' game (and it is a huge one) is his ability to shoot the ball. While he has shown improvement over the year, he still remains a very poor shooter with bad mechanics. At this point, he is not even able to keep defenders honest at the collegiate three point line, much less the NBA 3-point line.

Harris is a stellar defender, often putting on the clamps on whomever he's guarding. His great length and nice lateral quickness allow him to stay in front of his man, also able to contest shots despite his lack of height. In addition, Harris is arguably the best rebounding wing in the nation, bringing in over 8 rebounds per game. His outstanding motor and intensity make him an absolute monster on the glass on both ends of the hardwood.

Harris has been rumored to be looking to bolt to the NBA at the first available opportunity (and he often plays that way too), so it would not be surprising in the least bit for him to test the waters if he has a strong junior season. Given the fact that he is already 22 years old, time is definitely not on his side. Improvement in his perimeter shooting and decision making will help his stock greatly, but regardless of what he decides to do at the conclusion of the season, he is a player firmly supplanted on the NBA radar.

Top NBA Draft Prospects in the Big East (Part One: #1-#5)

Rodger Bohn
Rodger Bohn
Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson
Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Oct 20, 2007, 05:20 am
Paul Harris saw playing time in every game last season for Syracuse, but his minutes fluctuated and his role wasn’t as large as many expected it to be. This season he should have a chance to break out and show more than just flashes of what he did last year. Harris averaged 8.6 points and a remarkable 7.1 rebounds for the Orange in just 21.7 minutes per game, though there are a lot of areas he could stand to improve.

Harris’ offensive game at this stage is mostly characterized by explosive finishes at the rim, be it catching the ball on a cut, coming around a screen, or pushing the ball in transition. He uses his athleticism extremely well in this area, showing a good deal of creativity at the rim and a tremendous ability to take contact, as he’s built like a superhero. Harris favors going to the right with the ball in his hands, though he’s also able to go left. Harris didn’t look great in isolation situations last season, doing most of his damage when he caught the ball with his defender in less than ideal position. He still needs to work on using his excellent athletic ability and strength to consistently get by his man in one-on-one’s. Harris is also susceptible to charges in transition, often going full speed into the lane with no plans to adjust his body, as he is strong enough to go through most defenders.

The area Harris most needs to work on, though, is his outside shooting, something that has plagued him as long as scouts have known his name. He showed some confidence with his mid-range shot this season, even looking good at times when wide open, but he’s inconsistent and prone to bad misses, especially when on the move, with a man in his face, or when outside the 15 foot range. He converted just one of 20 three-pointers on the season, though his free-throw percentage was .681, which isn’t bad given where his shot was last summer.

Harris also does a good deal of damage in the post area, fighting for position with a man on him or sneaking into open space to catch dump-offs in the lane. Harris isn’t afraid to post up anyone, but this hurts him at times when trying to finish over longer defenders. Harris is frequently matched with power forwards on offense, which limits what he can do with his post game at this level. Still, he should be a definite post threat in isolations at the next level against weaker shooting guards.

Harris’ rebounding is a very exciting thing to watch, as he goes after pretty much every loose ball, and often is able to grab rebounds from out of position due to his phenomenal vertical leap and length. He’s tenacious in attacking the boards, though he sometimes has trouble going straight up with it on offense due to his size. To emphasize just how good a rebounder the 6-5 freshman was, consider that ranked evenly with Greg_Oden in this category on a per-minute basis).

Defensively, Harris hardly got to show what he was capable of last season, and that shouldn’t change this season in Syracuse’s zone defense. Harris has excellent physical tools on the defensive end and has the potential to be a lock-down defender, but it’s hard to tell in the zone. Still, Harris played attentive defense in the zone, handling his assignment well, cutting off passing lanes, and playing aggressively when placed in isolation situations.

Another skill Harris didn’t get to show much of is his point guard abilities, something he has shown at the high school level. He definitely has more of a combo-guard’s mentality, but has a good, low-to-the-ground handle and the ability to create for teammates. He may not get the chance to show these things consistently at Syracuse, but he definitely has the potential to play the point in a pinch at the next level.

All in all, Harris didn’t have as impactful a freshman season as many expected, but he still showed flashes, and has plenty of room to improve this season. There’s no telling when he’ll declare from the NBA, or where he’d get drafted (especially when you consider that he’s already 21), as there are a lot of areas he could stand to work on, most notably his outside shooting. Depending on his development, he could go in the lottery or the second round, and this season should be imperative for him.

NBA Draft Stock Watch: Conference Tournament Week (Part Two)

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Eric Weiss
Eric Weiss
Joey Whelan
Joey Whelan
Mar 13, 2007, 04:04 am
A highly touted recruit and native New Yorker, expectations ran high for Paul Harris from the moment he stepped on campus. There were many highs and lows for him this season, but he went out on top with a strong performance against Notre Dame in the Big East tournament. In just 22 minutes, Harris had his best game of the season, while desperately trying to bring the Orangemen back from a late deficit.

Throughout much of the game, Harris wasn’t a primary scoring option, but would come through with an occasional strong drive to the hoop, or a big rebound in traffic. Late in the game, Harris’ intensity on both ends of the court shined through. With 6 minutes remaining and Syracuse down by 8, Harris took the ball the length of the court after rebounding the ball, and forced Notre Dame to foul him in transition. He missed a jumper the next time down the floor, but stole the ball and scored a layup in transition again on the next play to make up for it. Over the last 6 minutes Harris scored 14 points, mostly on transition drives to the basket.

Harris has as good of a body as any wing player in the country, and uses his powerful build to finish over anybody inside. He has great quickness getting to the basket off the dribble, and uses his 40+ inch vertical for highlight finishes at times. In just 21 minutes per game this season, Harris managed to average 7 rebounds a game, thanks to his leaping ability as well as his excellent positioning. Shooting has always been the weakest part of his game, and an improved stroke would help him greatly next season. He only made 1 three pointer the entire season, and this will be scrutinized by scouts unless he can improve in this area. In high school, Harris played point guard quite a bit, and displayed the ability to create well for teammates with the ball in his hands. His role throughout his freshman year at Syracuse didn’t allow him to do this, but he still appears to have combo guard potential for the next level. Harris was also known as a great lockdown defender, something that is hidden by the Syracuse zone.

Next season, Harris’ role should increase significantly, and it should allow him to become more comfortable on the court knowing he can play through his mistakes. If he can continue to score using his slashing skills, and improve his jumper during the offseason, he will have a chance to become a first round pick at some point over the next two seasons. Team success would help as well, and Syracuse has a strong class of recruits that will arrive on campus in fall of 2007.

DraftExpress 2006-2007 Big East Postseason Awards

Jonathan Givony
Jonathan Givony
Feb 27, 2007, 02:07 am
Paul Harris didn’t live up to expectations as a freshman and spent extended time in Jim Boeheim’s doghouse, but we’re not quite willing to give up on him yet, especially if he’ll be seeing more action as a ball-handler and will be finally unleashed on the defensive end.

High School Allstar Games Recap: Player Interviews

Rodger Bohn
Rodger Bohn
Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Landry Fields
Landry Fields
Apr 25, 2006, 02:20 am
On his vocal style:

“It’s just an instinct. I just want to be the leader out there. Let everybody know I’m there on helpside ‘D’, let them know I’m there and just go out and have fun.”

“Honestly, to yourself, you have to be true to yourself and I know I’m not ready. I’m ready to go to college.”

On what he brings to the floor most: “Energy, leadership and energy. Just let the other team know that I’m out there.”

“For me, it’s working on conditioning and shooting. If I can work on those two, I think I can be all right.”




Paul Harris

DraftExpress: You have a body type that seems more like an NFL linebacker than a high school basketball player. How did you go about building it up?

Paul Harris: Well, you know I just do a lot of pushups, I never really lift weights. I started this year, but then I stopped when it started hurting my arms.

DraftExpress: What do you think your position will be at the next level?

Paul Harris: I say swing man/3.

DraftExpress: How do you think your up tempo style will fit in with the slower Syracuse offense?

Paul Harris: Well, I gotta do what the coach say. If that’s what he wants, then I gotta adjust my game to that.

DraftExpress: If the NBA rules you eligible for the draft, is there any way you would consider declaring?

Paul Harris: No, I’m not ready. I want to go to college.

DraftExpress: What areas of your game do you feel you need to work on the most?

Paul Harris: My jumpshot. The number one thing.

DraftExpress: How do you plan on improving your jumpshot?

Paul Harris: Shooting hundreds and thousands of shots a day.

DraftExpress: You played on a really loaded Notre Dame prep team this year. Do you feel that helped or hurt your exposure?

Paul Harris: Well it doesn’t matter you know. We finished number one, that’s all that counts.

DraftExpress: How do you think your style fits in with the International style?

Paul Harris: I think if we just come out and play our game and play tough D, we can win the game.

DraftExpress: What’s the deal with the whole ‘Let’s Go’ thing (Paul yells this phrase seemingly 50 times per game)?

Paul Harris: (laughing) Let’s go. Play hard and win.

DraftExpress: You have a huge following in the Niagara Falls area. Do you think many people made it down to see you in this game?

Paul Harris: Not that much. I’d say in the Jordan Classic there will probably be more.

DraftExpress: With one true point guard on the Hoop Summit roster, do you expect to see time there?

Paul Harris: Well if that’s what they put me at, that’s what I’m going to do.

At the Jordan Classic: Main Event and Regional Game Recaps

Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Apr 24, 2006, 12:35 am
Paul Harris had an up-and-down game, looking dominant with his size and athleticism in the open floor, but having trouble being productive in the halfcourt. On the break, Harris had some powerful jams, which no one dared get in the way of, to go along with some lay-ups and assists as well. In the halfcourt, Harris didn’t do as well, often settling for outside jumpers and forcing the issue doing so. His shot needs a lot of work, and in speaking with him he said it’s the thing he’ll work on most this summer. But right now, it’s not game ready, and Harris missed a handful of ill-advised outside shots badly in this game. To his credit, he did hit one contested three-pointer and also had a pull-up in the lane. Harris didn’t have much success driving to the basket either, only getting to the foul line once and missing on his other lay-up attempts. He showed off his athleticism and ball-handling on a few of the drives, but couldn’t convert on any of them, namely one crossover where he drove hard and was blocked at the basket.

Defensively, in a game that had very little on this side of the ball, Harris did pretty well, using his combination of strength and length as he often does to contain his man. He has all the tools and the work ethic to be a very good defender on the perimeter.

As noted above, Harris needs to work on his shot this summer, which he already intends to do. The rest of his game is very sound, and he’s a fierce competitor to go with it. If you add the threat of a reliable outside shot to that package, you’re going to have quite the player on your hands.

At the Jordan Classic: Friday Scrimmage

Joseph Treutlein
Joseph Treutlein
Apr 22, 2006, 09:35 am
Paul Harris had a very bad day, being unable to get anything going on the offensive end. He was intent on settling for mid and long-range jumpers most of the game, and wasn’t able to convert on any of them. Harris missed an assortment of jump shots, most of which were from three-point range, many of which missed badly. On his lone attempt to attack the basket, Harris used his length and athleticism to make a very impressive reverse lay-up attempt off the glass, but it rimmed out. Harris did play well on the defensive end, breaking up some passes and playing some good man defense, but this was not his best performance.

2006 Nike Hoop Summit Game Recap

Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt
Apr 10, 2006, 03:47 am
With Tywon Lawson as the only true point guard named to Team USA, Harris was able to display his all around game nicely when given his chance at running the team. He is a high energy player, who was the most vocal guy on the court for either team. Paul pushed the ball up the court quite a bit, and made some very nice passes in transition when the defense came over to double. The other part of his game that really stood out during the Hoops Summit is his defense. In addition to moving his feet well, Harris was able to create turnovers without gambling too much in order to get them. He already possesses an NBA-ready body, and knows how to use it, especially on the defensive end of the floor. On offense, Harris used his explosive first step to create a few easy layups for himself. Though he can score the ball, his jumpshot is really flat at this point in time. He will need to fix his release point on his shot, but if he can learn to shoot well, it will greatly help Harris’ long term potential. Right now Paul can play the 1, 2 or the 3, but doesn’t really have a defined position. He will need to improve his half court game in addition to his shot before he is ready for the NBA, but he has all the tools to succeed. Paul Harris is in the interesting situation of being one of the few guys who may be eligible for the NBA draft as a 5th year high school player. To make things more interesting, some people don’t think Harris will be eligible to play at Syracuse. Paul insists he’s not looking at the draft at all, and wants to go to college, but if the right circumstances arise, it will be interesting to see what he does. Despite his advanced age (playing amongst boys), he is definitely not ready for the NBA and would be nothing more than a 2nd round pick at best.

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