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Old 06-19-2010, 11:50 AM   #30
swg
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Indiana has long been known as one country's basketball hotbeds, so when a prospect is revered as the best in the Hoosier State, it is truly an elite distinction. There is still much to be sorted out on the court over the next two seasons by members of that state's deep 2012 class, but Fishers (Ind.) Hamilton-Southeastern guard Gary Harris is thought by many pundits to be the prospect most worthy of the No. 1 spot.

Harris' 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals per game helped propel his Hamilton-Southeastern squad to a 17-4 record and a run to the state sectionals. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, he bears many similarities to a current Michigan State Spartan.

"People say that with my explosiveness and stuff and because we're around the same height, I'm always compared to Durrell Summers," said Harris.

Outstanding athleticism is but one of Harris' defining traits. His tremendous versatility has also garnered a great deal of praise.

"A talented guard with impressive ball skills, Harris has the ability to play both guard spots," said ScoutHoops.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels. "He's got a strong handle, sees the floor well and is a terrific passer. His shot looks solid and his range extends to the 3-point stripe."

Harris' game has really matured over the past year according to his AAU coach, former Cleveland State assistant Sean Bledsoe. Now his star pupil is punishing opponents on a regular basis.

"He plays like George Gervin," Bledsoe told Scout.com. "A few years ago, his main m.o. was that he could shoot the ball. Since last year in the summer the biggest improvement I've seen is his aggressiveness. Gary's always been strong, but he's figured out how to be tough now. Because he's tough, he does things on the court like a man. He really knows how to play."

Harris' scholarship tally certainly backs up that assertion. Though only a sophomore, he has already secured verbal offers from Butler, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, IUPUI, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon State and Xavier. Michigan appears poised to extend an invitation as well.

"I went up there to see (Michigan) play Notre Dame in football and then I saw them play UConn and beat UConn during the basketball season," Harris said. "The Big House, yeah that was crazy!"

Harris' most recent visit to Ann Arbor took place last Thursday. During his time on campus John Beilein made clear exactly what the Wolverines think of him.

"They said I was a priority and they would love to have me," Harris said. "They like my game and they said on June 15 they would offer me a scholarship when they can call us players."

Michigan's offer timetable may differ slightly from their contemporaries, but there is a reason for that -- one that should mitigate any perceived disadvantage.

"The NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) has developed, I guess, an unwritten rule that you try to do things that (won't) allow recruiting to jump down to seventh grade, eighth grade, ninth grade," Bledsoe said. "Now it is more of a gentleman's agreement than anything. Coach Beilein (who is the chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Ethics Coalition) does things by the book. He likes to make sure that he does things out of respect for everyone else. You've got to respect him for that because he can be out here offering all these eighth graders and ninth graders, but you want Michigan to be something special."

The Wolverines' headman has certainly made a strong impression on Harris. So, too, has his vaunted two-guard offense.

"Manny Harris led the Big Ten in shot attempts," Harris said. "They let their guards (play). If you can play, they let you play. I could see myself fitting into that system. (Beilein) is a great guy. He's a great coach. We just hit it off when we were down there. We really enjoyed each other's presence."

After wrapping things up with Beilein in Ann Arbor, Harris headed over to Michigan State. He has even greater familiarity with the Spartans thanks their decision to begin building a relationship with him almost two years ago.

"I worked for (Michigan State assistant) Coach (Mike) Garland from 2003 to 2006," Bledsoe said. "I've always called him about different kids. I remember when I first saw Gary I called (Garland) and I said, 'I know it is early, but this kid is going to be special.' Mike came down and he was one of the first guys that saw us. We played up (on an older AAU team) when Gary was an eighth grader, so (Garland) saw us in July and I remember him saying, 'Man, Gary's got a chance, he's really good.'"

The attention from Garland put MSU in an enviable position when the time came for Harris to decide on his first unofficial visit. He headed to East Lansing.

"The first time I went up on campus was last year," Harris said. "It's a great school. They're always up there as one of the top teams in the country. (Tom) Izzo really knows how to coach the team. (Last Thursday) my mom was up there for the first time. They showed us around at the Breslin Center. They showed us the practice gym, they showed us around the locker rooms, and then the coaching offices, but we really couldn't go into the actual arena because they had graduation. (Izzo) said that I was priority and that he's going to be out watching me this summer and they would love to have me."

Despite his strong feelings for both Michigan and Michigan State, Harris claims no favorites. At the moment he is content to visit as many of his suitors as possible in order to accurately assess what they each have to offer.

"I think I'm going to do Notre Dame later this month," he said. "Notre Dame and Xavier. All the campuses are the same -- they just differ in the size and location. The real big difference is going to be the coaching staff and the relationships that we have with each other. There is no specific timeline (for determining the best fit) right now. I'm just trying to see what's best for me. When I find out what's best for me, I'll make a decision."

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100610/...#ixzz0rJoUnIpH
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