Undrafted out of the University of Michigan, Harris has bounced around professional basketball, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Canton Charge for the D-League and Azovmash in the Ukraine.
In January, the 6’5” guard was called up from the Lakers’ affiliate D-League team, the D-Fenders, averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds through nine games for the Lakers.
Eric Pincus for The Los Angeles Times, describes what happened next:
Harris returned to the NBA Development League, making a statement Saturday with a D-Fenders' franchise-record 56 points in a 121-106 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors. Playing at the Kaiser Permanente Arena, Harris scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, shattering his own previous scoring record of 49 — set Jan. 10 before his call-up to the Lakers.
Per Tony Nunez for Register Pajaronian, head coach Casey Hill for Santa Cruz had this to say about the record-setting game by Harris:
“That’s a heck of a stat line. Yeah I think he deserves to be in the NBA. I think he’ll get some sort of a look after that game.”
The Lakers have been trying to balance a losing season, an injury-depleted roster and a payroll that is well into the luxury tax. Management had to make a choice of keeping Harris for the rest of the season and paying a dollar-for-dollar penalty, or sending him back to their D-League affiliate.
Harris is averaging 32.4 points through 14 games with the D-Fenders. The Lakers may end up wishing they had hung on to the former Wolverine.
H/T to Scott Rafferty at SB Nation's Ridiculous Upside.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers