Terrel Harris earn a spot in Miami Heat-NBA Regular news
To secure a niche in Miami Heat is a herculean task and for Terrel Harris it was a long run before he finally earned a pre season spot in the team.
In 2009 He averaged 14 points and 5 boards during his senior year at Oklahoma State and earned Big 12 All-Defensive Team honours but ironically was not drafted.
Since being undrafted he had 10 days to get noticed amongst all the struggling rookies for an invisible spot in already full Heat roster.
He never stood a chance in the roster but he kept on showing and playing as a defensive dummy for Dwyane Wade and LeBron James for the duration of abbreviated camp.
His consistency was appreciated by Wade.
“He was a kid that wouldn’t back down and played tough,” Wade said. “That’s that Oklahoma State in him. Very tough kid.”
So finally his unending efforts bared fruit as the franchise released Eddie House creating a slot for final 15th player allowing Harris to squeeze in.
The 33 years old guard had missed all of training camp due to an arthroscopic knee injury and his 11 years journey with Heat finally came to an end in December, resulting into the opportunity for Harris.
Even though the decision was surprising as Miami prefer experienced player to surround Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James.
String of injuries that has surrounded Heat lately also played a decisive role for his appointment and he was himself surprised.
“We had an official meeting with the team and Pat Riley actually just initiated me and told everyone I was part of the family,” Harris said. “It was a special moment. Having LeBron on your left, D Wade on your right, being a rookie.
Two weeks earlier I’m looking up to those guys, then suddenly I’m their teammates. It happened so fast, you just got to hold on to the rails and take the ride.”
After being undrafted he had played for Maine Red Claws and Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. He also played offshore for EnBW Ludwigsburg of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. It was during his tenure
with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League, when he was given an opportunity to play in the Miami Heat’s training camp in December this year.
He is more than contended to find a place as a rookie in the NBA’s finest franchise.
“Couldn’t be in a better situation,” Harris said. “If you want to grow, for a rookie this is probably the best possible place. You’ve got veterans galore here and I think that’s really beneficial to me.”
He has still a long way to go as along with his talents he will need knowledge that will come with experience.
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