Will Harris, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound shooting guard originally from Queens, has committed to Albany, choosing that school over Marist and Valparaiso. The Virginia transfer will have two years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2008-09 season.
“I feel like I chose Albany because they have a great staff over there with Coach (Will) Brown and coach (Jeremy) Friel,” Harris said Sunday by phone. “When I went on my visit, I felt very comfortable over there. There’s a real good opportunity for me over there. They’ve been to the (NCAA) tournament two out of the last three years, and they’re starting to build a real tradition over there and that’s something I want to be a part of.”
Harris played in 32 games and started three as a freshman in 2006-07 when he averaged 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds a game. He hit for 14 points against N.C. State.
He played in 47 games during his two years in the Virginia program and started three. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds a game.
“I’m an energy guy, I can bring a whole lot of energy to the team (at Albany),” Harris said. “With my experience playing in the ACC, I can bring some leadership and some more experience to the guys.”
“Probably the main thing he brings is his versatility. He’s got the size and the strength to cover bigger players because he’s probably 6-5, 235-240 pounds,” Brewster coach Jason Smith said by phone. “He’s going to be a matchup problem for a lot of teams in the America East because he’s a guard. He’s a two/three, he’s very versatile.”
Harris initially signed with Nebraska in November of 2004 when he was at Maine Central Institute. In the spring of 2005, he asked Nebraska for his release because his mother was facing health issues. When Nebraska declined, Harris instead opted to repeat his senior year at Brewster Academy. In July of 2005, he committed to UConn as a 2006 recruit. Then in the fall of 2005, he de-committed from UConn, ultimately signing with Virginia in November of 2005.
He graduated from Brewster in 2006 and was at Virginia the last two years.
Harris played in only 15 games for the Cavaliers as a sophomore during the 2007-08 season because of injury. He averaged 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds a game.
“Will has been a wonderful representative of the University of Virginia and our basketball program the last two years,” head coach Dave Leitao said. “We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
