Friday, April 16, 2010

Jay Harris, a 6’1” guard out of Oswego East [Ill.] H.S., has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Valparaiso men’s basketball program as a freshman for the 2010-2011 season.  Harris comes to Valpo ranked as the #22 point guard in the nation in the Class of 2010, according to ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc., and as the fifth-best prospect overall in his class from the state of Illinois.

A First Team All-State selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and a Second Team All-State honoree by the Chicago Tribune, Harris averaged better than 28 points per game for the Wolves as a senior.  He also posted 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting at a 44% clip from behind the 3-point line and 87% from the charity stripe.

Harris was named the Southwest Prairie Conference Player of the Year while leading the Oswego East squad to the first regional championship in school history, to go along with 24 victories and the conference title.  Earlier this month, he won the 3-point contest at the annual Chicago High School Classic.

“We are very excited about having Jay join our basketball team next year,” said Crusader head coach Homer Drew.  “He was one of the best 3-point shooters in the Chicago area this season, but he also does more than just score.  Jay is very adept at seeing the floor and making good decisions with the ball in his hands, and he is also a very poised player."