This year’s Buckeyes are ranked No. 1 in the nation and should get a No. 1 seed when the NCAA announces the brackets Sunday. Four years ago, Harris teamed with a quartet of talented freshmen: Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., Daequan Cook and David Lighty. Only Lighty remains with the Buckeyes.
Harris, meanwhile, has toured the world since leaving Columbus. He is now in Australia, playing with the Ballarat Miners in the South East Australian Basketball League. Ballarat is located 70 miles west of Melbourne.
The SEABL is the country’s second division league, competing from March to July. The top division, the National Basketball League, lasts from October to April.
Harris spoke to the News-Sun from O’Hare Airport in Chicago on March 1 just before boarding a flight to Los Angeles and then a final flight to Sydney.
“I’ve never been there,” Harris said. “I’m not really doing anything during the summer. I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to explore Australia and see what it’s like.”
Harris began his professional career in Finland. He then spent two seasons in the NBA Developmental League with the Erie Bayhawks. In the past year, he played in Argentina and briefly in Uruguay.
“I’ve been everywhere,” Harris said. “I’m just living the life of a basketball player, traveling and doing what I like to do.”
In Uruguay, he teamed with South graduate Elgrace Wilborn for a couple of games. They played against each other when Harris was at North and Wilborn was at South and again in the D-League. They had never before been teammates.
“It was a fun time,” Harris said. “We were also roommates. It was cool. Elgrace has gotten a lot stronger. He’s still dunking on people.”
Harris didn’t stay in Uruguay because he said it wasn’t the right fit. The coach wanted him to play a different position, one he’s not used to playing. He hopes to find a better fit in Australia.
“I’m just playing the field, seeing what the best country is for me,” Harris said.
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