From only reaching a season-high of six points and only eleven minutes on the court to securing a spot in the starting line-up with a season-high of 36 points and playing 38 minutes of a 40-minute ball game, rising star Steve Harris has endured many ups and downs as he reaches the end of his 4-year basketball career. Born November 21, Harris is the son of Willie & Quelon Harris. He has two older sisters and one older brother.
Harris grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Webster Groves High School where he positioned himself as being an unstoppable guard. Continuing this basketball dream, Harris attended APSU following up behind his older sister who was a sophomore at the time. Starting off, Harris sought out to pursue a nursing degree, but juggling full-time basketball didn’t preserve enough time to attend classes that are mandatory for nursing majors.
According to letsgopeay.com, during Harris’ freshman year at APSU, his playing time was limited, only averaging six points and 11 minutes as a season-high. Sophomore year, his season high increased with nine points and 15 minutes of playing time.
Harris was in for a surprise entering his junior year when new head coach Matt Figger arrived. Harris became one of the most valuable pieces to the puzzle in APSU basketball.
“It’s just the opportunities,” Harris said. “Just having the opportunity to score the ball anytime. This is the most confident I’ve felt since I’ve been here,” Harris said. He became one of the top players dominating on both sides of the court. His junior year Harris averaged at least 20 points and playing 37 minutes of a 40- minute ball game.
Senior year for Harris was single-handedly the best season of his career at APSU. He pulled down a career-high eight rebounds on Senior Night against the University of Tennessee at Martin in his final regular-season contest as a Governor. Harris scored a career-high 26 points on 13-of-22 shooting at Murray State and scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting against Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinal in his final APSU contest.
The progress Harris made was nothing out of the ordinary, based on his hard work. “I knew it wasn’t going to come easy; I just had to be patient, within that I became a more mature person, which helped me to become the optimistic person I am today,” Harris said.
Within trying to manage to a nursing major and a demanding basketball career, Harris decided to switch his career field and become a broadcast media major with a minor in communication.
With graduation arriving just a month away, Harris is getting ready to create a path to a brand new future. “These four years with Steve has been off-the-top amazing; he’s such a great guy,” expressed Zach Glotta.
In addition to doing something he loves, Harris plans on going to play overseas basketball. Far as his career goes in 10 years, Harris sees himself owning his own business in Los Angeles, CA.
Although Steve’s basketball performance speaks for itself, his overall presence as a person is priceless.
“Steve is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve met, and you rarely see him upset about anything,” former teammate Terry Taylor said.
Not only has Harris kept a good basketball career reputation, but he also earned Academic Honor Roll four consecutive times in a row in 2017-18.
Harris is expected to excel in any path he chooses to take. Leaving APSU, Harris carries the weight of a legacy, one of the most dependable players APSU has had, on and off the court.
