ARKANSAS MEN’S BASKETBALL

Put into practice: Harris found outlet while sitting out

Jalen Harris of red squad shoots in the first half Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, during the Arkansas Red and White scrimmage at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Jalen Harris could only watch his University of Arkansas basketball teammates play games last season because he was redshirting after transferring from New Mexico.

It was tough sitting out, Harris said, especially after he played in 31 games as a freshman with the Lobos -- including 18 starts.

JALEN HARRIS AT A GLANCE

COLLEGE Arkansas

POSITION Point guard

HEIGHT/WEIGHT 6-2, 166 pounds

CLASS Sophomore

HOMETOWN Wilson, N.C.

HIGH SCHOOL Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God Christian Academy

PREVIOUS COLLEGE New Mexico

NOTEWORTHY Redshirted at Arkansas last season after transferring from New Mexico. … Averaged 4.5 points, 2.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 20.6 minutes as a freshman. … Played in all 31 games for New Mexico during the 2016-17 season, including 18 starts. … Had 13 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in 22 minutes in Arkansas’ exhibition opener against Tusculum.

To fill the competitive void, Harris said he made sure to never slack off in the practice.

"Just knowing that each and every day I went out to practice, that basically was my game," said Harris, a 6-2 point guard. "I wouldn't take the day off in a real game, so why take it off in practice?"

That attitude -- and going against senior guards Jaylen Barford, Daryl Macon and Anton Beard in practice -- helped Harris make the most of his redshirt experience going into his sophomore season.

"I don't know how some people go about redshirting. They may go through the motions at times," Razorbacks junior forward Adrio Bailey said. "But Jalen was eager to be out there and wanted to learn."

Harris is the only scholarship guard for Arkansas -- which hosts Southwest Baptist in an exhibition game at 7 tonight in Walton Arena -- who has played on the NCAA Division I level.

"Jalen's got experience," Razorbacks freshman guard Isaiah Joe said. "He's been here for a year, and he already knows what to expect, so we're going to follow his lead."

Harris said he understands his role on the team, especially as a leader for the younger guards.

"I tell them all it's basketball, regardless of where you've played before," Harris said. "Don't overthink it and you'll be fine."

Harris, who averaged 4.5 points, 2.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 20.6 minutes for New Mexico during the 2016-17 season, said he decided to transfer for personal reasons.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Harris was among five players to transfer from New Mexico after his freshman season when the Lobos finished 17-14 and missed the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year.

"It's disappointing that we have a freshman that has decided to leave," New Mexico Coach Craig Neal said in a statement after Harris announced he was transferring. "We had really high hopes for Jalen, but he has a great future ahead of him and is an outstanding kid. We support his decision and wish him the best."

A few weeks after the mass transfers from the New Mexico roster, Neal was fired.

Harris said he came to Arkansas because he had a good relationship with Razorbacks assistant T.J. Cleveland -- who recruited him out of Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., before the UA roster was set by adding Barford and Macon as junior-college transfers -- and that he's also a good fit for Coach Mike Anderson's uptempo style.

"As I watched highlights and videos, I realized this was the best place for me," Harris said.

Arkansas sophomore forward Daniel Gafford, a preseason All-SEC pick, said Harris has the ability to push the pace whenever he gets the ball.

"The thing that surprised me last year about him is how fast he can run," Gafford said. " I mean, he's like the Road Runner with the Coyote. There's no stopping him with this speed, and he's aggressive."

Harris figures to be Arkansas' primary ball-handler on offense and a catalyst on defense.

"We see he can put a lot of pressure on defenses with his quickness," Anderson said. "But I think he can cause havoc even more on defense. He can get to places and make plays."

Anderson said Harris can score by hitting jump shots and driving to the basket, but that he's plays with a pass-first mentality.

"Jalen is incredible," Arkansas freshman forward Reggie Chaney said. "I love his game. He finds you wherever you are. If you're open, he's going to hit you."

Harris had 13 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in the Razorbacks' 96-47 victory over Tusculum in their exhibition opener last Friday.

After a shaky first half in which Harris had 5 points, 3 turnovers and 2 fouls in 10 minutes, he had all of his assists and steals in the second half without a turnover while playing 12 minutes.

Harris opened the second half by hitting a pair of three-point baskets, grabbing a rebound, and getting assists on Joe's three-pointer and Chaney's dunk to fuel a 14-0 run by the Razorbacks that pushed their lead to 44-24.

"I thought Jalen was playing too fast in the early part of the game," Anderson said. "The second half we saw the impact he can have, whether it be distributing the basketball, harassing on defense, rebounding.

"He's kind of sneaky athletic. I think he can be great with our pressure defense with the understanding of you've got to have patience. What I mean by patience is that you're not trying to steal every pass. You're just trying to disrupt."

Anderson said the younger guards can learn from Harris' example.

"Those guys are watching him in terms of what he's doing," Anderson said. "He's in an important spot, I'll tell you that. So hopefully he can lead by example in terms of how he plays."

Harris said he kept reminding himself last season when he was watching games that he had to stay patient.

"I had to know it just wasn't my time yet," he said. "That's what stuck in my head -- 'Wait your turn and you'll be fine.'

"Now I'm hungry and ready and excited to get out there and play."

Sports on 11/02/2018