Gary Harris will return to Michigan State for his sophomore season, the school announced on Thursday. The freshman shooting guard would have almost certainly been a first-round NBA Draft pick if he had declared.
Gary Harris will return to Michigan State
After a promising freshman season, the shooting guard was widely seen as a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
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Harris, a 6’4, 205-pound guard, averaged 13.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 46/41/76 shooting this season, helping the Spartans to a berth in the Sweet 16.
His decision will make Tom Izzo's team an early pre-season favorite in the Big Ten next season. Michigan State is still waiting on a draft decision from junior big man Adreian Payne, but Harris, Branden Dawson and Keith Appling will give the Spartans one of the most talented perimeter trios in the country.
Harris, who is currently recovering from postseason shoulder surgery, still has a lot of room to improve his draft stock. While his shooting and poise were both above average for a freshman, he’ll be expected to take on a bigger role as a playmaker and a decision-maker next season.
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