Highly Rated Power Forward Joins Men’s Basketball Program – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ohio-Ivan Harris, rated among the Top 25 players nationally by several recruiting publications, accepted Jim O’Brien’s scholarship offer to play for Ohio State, beginning with the 2003-04 season.
Harris, a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Springfield, Ohio, is playing his final high school season at Oakhill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., for the preseason No. 1-rated Warriors.
O’Brien said Harris, who committed to the Buckeyes prior to his junior season of high school, has all the qualities necessary to be successful at Ohio State and in the Big Ten Conference.
“We are certainly pleased to have been able to sign a student-athlete the caliber of Ivan Harris,” O’Brien said. “He has the ability to play inside and out as a low post scorer with the added benefit of stepping out as a 3-point shooting threat.
“We targeted Ivan three years ago and feel confident we are getting not only a good player but the type of kid we feel will fit in well with our program.”
Harris was named to the adidas ABCD Camp all-star game after he averaged 21 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 59 percent from the field at the 2002 summer camp.
Bob Gibbons, who rates players for his All Star Sports Report, a high school recruiting publication, rates the left-handed Harris as one of the Top 5 players nationally and as the best player at both the ABCD and Las Vegas Big Time Tournament events last summer.
He was invited to Colorado Springs following his junior year to play at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. He responded by averaging 21.6 points and 9.6 rebounds, averages among the top three in each category at the event.
Frank Burlison, a FoxSports.com recruiting analyst, rated Harris as the No. 5 player nationally following his summer performances.
Ohio State filled its only available scholarship for 2003-04 with the signing of Harris. The Buckeyes have two scholarship senior players in Brent Darby and Sean Connolly this year. The other scholarship will be utilized by Rick Billings, a 6-3 guard, who is sitting out while attending classes at Ohio State this year. Billings will have three years of eligibility beginning with the 2003-04 season.
Two other players also will begin their eligibility next season. Junior Tony Stockman, a transfer from Clemson, and sophomore J.J. Sullinger, an Arkansas transfer, are sitting the 2002-03 season out to satisfy NCAA transfer rules and will become eligible in 2003-04.
