Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (2 Games)

November 22-23 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)

Gary Harris — SG, 6-4, 205
Sophomore, 19 years old

Season: 17.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.8 APG

Outlook: Harris is a tough prospect for me to evaluate. On one hand, he’s a physical shooting guard with two-way talents. Developing a terrific jumper, scores efficiently, can finish with grace or through contact, runs off screens to create misdirection, and is consistent in his production. Harris has a strong motor on defense, with the instincts and desire to be a force. He’s only 19 years old, yet has clearly improved throughout college—development that should continue in the NBA.

On the other hand, Harris is 1) undersized at 6-4, 2) struggling from the perimeter (41% from 3 as a freshman; 27% this year), 3) not a great shot creator and 4) frankly, seems to “blend in” more often than you’d like.

The reason I’m not fully comfortable is probably because of just that—Harris isn’t a “flashy” prospect; nothing really catches your eye when you watch him. But all things considered, Harris is right there at the end of every game, filling up the box score, executing defensive concepts, and ultimately reminding everyone why he’s considered to be a lottery pick.

Harris averaged 20 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in two games at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Nice explosion attacking the rim, knocked down catch-and-shoot opportunities, played suffocating defense, and was a great “team player” throughout (making the extra pass, not forcing shots, etc). He forced a few shots, but I took it as trying to be aggressive rather than being careless. As mentioned, Harris has the strength and active hands to be an impact defender.

OFFENSE

Transition

24% of Harris’ shot attempts have been in transition this season, where his 1.23 points per possession ranks in the 71st percentile nationally. His numbers last season were nearly identical. He runs the floor quickly in transition, and is capable to either lead the break or run the wings.

Spot-Up

Harris is not a great shooter right now. Last season’s percentages of 38% on 2-pointers and 41% on 3′s has regressed to 31% and 27%, respectively. Improving his shot will allow him to maximize the triple-threat stance, which is the foundation of Harris’ perimeter game. In my opinion, his development is contingent on his jump shot. If he becomes a reliable shooter, his game will elevate to a new level.

Pick-and-Roll Scoring

Like the rest of his offensive game, Harris doesn’t hesitate on his pick-and-roll decisions, which is essential at the NBA level. He seems to “react” more than he “thinks.” He astutely angles himself to create favorable driving lanes, and if defenders go under the screen, he will gladly pull-up. He is shooting 45 percent on the pick-and-roll this season, and his 1.07 points per attempt ranks in the 81st percentile nationally. Small sample size, sure, but he produced at a similar rate last season.

DEFENSE

Guarding Jump Shots

Harris uses a strong frame and low stance to dig in defensively, and he remains between his man and the basket to effectively closeout on jump shots. Harris has held opponents to 28.9% shooting on jump shots this season. Harris is a reliable defender at the college level. with terrific upside as he continues to develop.

Video Breakdown: Gary Harris

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Strengths:

Great

• On-Ball Defense
• Jump Shot
• Plays Very Hard / Youth

Good

• Transition Ability
• Slashing/Cutting
• Potential Point Guard Skills

Weaknesses / Areas of Improvement:

• Creating Offense (Driving/Finishing struggles)
• Shot Selection

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Strengths:

Great

• On-Ball Defense

For me, an evaluation of Harris’ skill set begins with his defensive ability. He looks the part of an excellent defender who can really make life miserable for opposing ball-handlers. Harris’ 3.4% steal percentage this season ranked 5th in the Big Ten, and 103rd nationally. He is undoubtedly one of the best perimeter defenders in this Draft, with the potential to guard both backcourt positions.

Harris gives excellent, unwavering effort defensively. Great hands to accumulate steals, and he uses his strong body to keep opponents out of the lane. He’s always ready in a low defensive stance, has quick feet, works hard, and excels both individually and in team concepts.

Harris generates steals, but can also fight under screens, help and recover, close-out, and read the passing lanes. Defense, probably more so than offense, will help Harris earn minutes at the next level. I think he could be a star defensively.

Lateral Quickness (Perimeter Defense)

Scrappy in the Paint / Collapsing in the post

On-Ball Defense

Interceptions/Reading the Passing Lanes

Help and Recover

Fights Around Screens

Good Close-Outs

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• Jump Shot

Harris possesses an excellent jump shot, and he is likewise one of the best shooters in the country. Although his 3-point percentage regressed as a sophomore (41% on 4.6 attempts, to 35% on 6.6 attempts), Harris still looks the part of a knockdown shooter.

Considering he is still raw/unproven creating off the dribble and finishing at the basket, Harris’ most NBA-ready skill (aside from defense) is being able to step right in and make outside shots. He needs to show more consistency, but the raw shooting ability is certainly there.

Harris’ 1.05 points per jump shot attempt ranked in the top 20th percentile nationally. He shot 40% in catch-and-shoot situations, 41% off the dribble, 49% from mid-range and 35% from 3-point range. He’s a knockdown shooter.

Great shooting mechanics, deep range, and most importantly Harris already has a vast arsenal of “NBA moves.” He can curl around screens (43%), pull-up on the pick and roll, step-back, lull defenders to sleep using hesitations/jab steps, and of course, catch-and-shoot.

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, at only 19 years old, Harris’ jump shot is (somewhat) reminiscent of Dwyane Wade’s/Bradley Beal’s — not overly explosive or powerful to create space for a jumper, but fluid and very accurate.

Again:

40% FG on all jump shots
40% catch-and-shoot
41% off the dribble (.98 PPP ranked in the top 15th percentile nationally)
43% curling around screens

Harris isn’t a perfect shooter/the most efficient shooter (evidenced by his percentages), but the bottom line is that he can make shots from all over the floor.

3-Point Shooting Off Screens

“Guarded” Catch-and-Shoot Attempts

2-Point Shooting Off Screens

Pick-and-Roll Jump Shot

Step-Back Jumpers

Head Fakes / Shot Fakes

Pull-Up Jump Shots

Made Free Throws

Harris converted 81% of his free throw attempts this season (4 attempts). Reliable FT shooter.

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• Plays Very Hard / Youth

Harris is a “gamer.” A tough-minded, fearless, competitive kid who seems like he is willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. He doesn’t clap or demonstratively demand the ball; he just plays hard on every possession. And he’s very young for a sophomore (19 years old).

His competitive spirit is more apparent on defense, but it’s also apparent in Harris’ ability to compose himself when pressure is highest—at the end of possessions.

End-of-Possession Shots

Harris was 7-20 shooting the ball within the last four seconds of the shot clock. This is a small sample size, sure, but it’s nonetheless impressive. He converted 35% with pressure mounting, and his .905 PPP in such situations ranked in the top 25th percentile nationally.

He can hit shots that require a high degree of difficulty, and he makes heady plays in clutch situations. I’m not suggesting he is a “clutch” player right now, but he has the potential—Harris embraces the moment and always plays hard.

Rebounding

Harris’ strength and unwavering effort give him a chance to be a solid wing rebounder at the next level. He averaged 5 rebounds per 40 minutes this season. Not a very explosive rebounder, but good effort and desire on the glass.

— Offensive Rebounding (O-Boards)

He is scrappy and determined to corral lose balls.

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Good

• Transition Ability

This season, Harris led Michigan State in transition possessions, transition points, and transition points per possession (1.14). It’s easy to see why on film.

His quick and accurate jump shot allows him to sprint to either corner for a transition 3, or he can run the floor and finish through contact with his 205-pound frame.

He is very impressive in transition, especially for a shooting guard. A unique combination of fluid running and deep shooting make Harris dangerous in transition. He converted 54% of his transition attempts this season, and his 1.14 points per attempt ranked in the top 64th percentile nationally.

He can sink the corner 3-pointer, or slash to the basket with ease. The way Harris moves up and down the floor is impressive.

Transition 3s (corner 3-pointers)

Transition 2s (slashing to the basket)

• Slashing/Cutting

As mentioned, Harris’ half-court success is predicated on off-the-ball movement and shooting touch.

As of right now, Harris isn’t explosive/quick enough to create space off the dribble offensively, and some believe this could be very problematic in the NBA if he can’t create in isolation.

He’s a really good driver, though, in the sense that he can drive in a straight-line fashion to the basket and finish with touch/body control. He’s not athletic enough to explode through or over help defenders, but he can find creases in the defense and attack.

Harris only converted 25 field goals at the basket this season—and his .98 PPP around the basket ranked in the bottom 30th percentile nationally—in no small part due to his lack of explosion. But I personally believe Harris could be a good driver in the half court. If you give him half a step laterally, or come at him in an unbalanced stance (i.e. defenders closing out hard on his jump shot), he will make you pay because he attacks with low shoulders (think of a running back getting low to navigate through the line of scrimmage), and he has good athleticism and great body control to finish. If Harris can manage to get into the second level of the defense, he can also kick out to shooters/dish it down low.

He needs to improve his ball handling to create in isolation sets. But Harris is still young and already has a jump shot that defenders respect. If he can develop his handle to get all the way to the basket (big “if”), Harris could be a stellar duel-threat (shooter, driver) on the perimeter.

Slashing

Harris is a good finisher if he has a clear lane or defined angle. Fluid with terrific body control.

Straight-Line Drives (no big man help)

• Developing Point Guard Skills (passing/court vision)

Harris rarely turns the ball over (1.7 TO/game, 2.1 TO per 40, 1.6 AST/TO ratio), and possesses great passing instincts for a shooting guard.

At only 19 years old, Harris is not a finished product. In other words, I believe Harris can continue to hone his point guard skills, and possibly become a very good facilitator in due time. He averaged 3.3 assists per 40 minutes this season, but his passing instincts go beyond what the statistics convey.

On film, it’s clear Harris has an innate feel for reading the defense and subtly getting the ball to open teammates. He gained valuable experience sporadically directing the offense in Michigan State’s pro-style sets, which include several reads and disguises. Good court vision, and a high basketball IQ to make the correct play.

Can Harris single-handedly create shots for others? Probably not. But he could probably slide over and play point guard for a few minutes if necessary.

Reading the Defense / Court Awareness

Pick-and-Roll Passing

Drive-and-Kick

Pushing the Ball (transition passing)

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Weaknesses / Areas of Improvement:

• Creating Offense (Driving/Finishing struggles)

As mentioned, Harris only converted 25 field goals at the basket this season (25-55), and posted a measly .98 points per possession around the basket, ranking in the bottom 30th percentile nationally.

He averaged only 4 free throw attempts per game. On film, it seems Harris isn’t quick enough to turn the corner and get to the basket offensively. Additionally, he doesn’t have a good enough handle to “shake” his defender in isolation. Defenders can wall-off Harris’s driving attempts.

Harris is a good slasher in straight-line situations, but he struggles against defensive resistance. He often stops short of the basket when driving, or simply misses the layup.

I don’t expect Harris to be pigeonholed as a one-dimensional shooter in the NBA, but he won’t be able to just use screens (on and off the ball) to get himself free. Harris loves to attack the rim (it’s not like he avoids going to the hoop), but he’ll need a better handle to beat defensive resistance, especially considering he doesn’t have the explosiveness to just elevate through contact. Fluid, yes, but not very explosive.

Isolation sets made up only 7.7% Harris’ attempts this past season, while conversely, running off screens made up 20%. A better handle will be necessary in order to achieve his potential.

Driving Struggles (gets walled off)

Finishing Struggles

Pick-and-Roll Finishing (1-8 this season)

• Shot Selection

Forcing Shots in transition (not overly concerning in my opinion, but still worth nothing).