The 2009 First Team All-Big South selection will play his redshirt senior season in Conway.
Aug. 20, 2009
CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina University men’s basketball redshirt senior Joseph Harris (Lejeune, N.C./Lejeune) has enrolled in classes and will play his fifth season for the Chanticleers, it was announced today.
Harris, a 6-5 forward, was an All-Big South First Team member last season for Coastal Carolina, averaging 15.2 points and 11.4 rebounds a game. He had a streak of 11 straight double-double’s last year, including a 33-point, 22-rebound performance in a 100-97 win over VMI Feb. 14. He also scored 32 points at UNC Asheville, 30 at VMI and 27 in a win over Western Illinois in November. Harris shot 57.6 percent from the floor and had 36 blocked shots and 45 steals for the Chanticleers.
Harris currently is second on Coastal Carolina’s career blocked shots chart with 110. He will need just three blocks to become Coastal Carolina’s all-time blocked shots leader. He also needs 53 points and 184 rebounds to become the second player in Big South history with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. He currently is tied for fifth in school history in career rebounding average (8.2/game) and is second in total career rebounds (816). He will need 73 rebounds to become the Chants’ all-time leading rebounder.
“When I sat down and thought about it, I was leaving a lot behind and taking a big chance on a 50/50 waiver,” Harris said. “I thought about all of the things that make a team successful. At Coastal Carolina, the chemistry was already there. The teammates are good people. I know what to expect from the coaching staff as well as academically and in the community. I feel like I had a commitment that I didn’t finish here. They gave me a chance out of high school when no one else did. I wanted to keep my loyalty to them. I want to finish out strong at Coastal Carolina. I want to thank Coach Ellis, the coaching staff and the team for giving me a second opportunity and I also would like to thank UAB for the opportunity they gave to me.”
“Joseph will be given a second opportunity,” Coastal Carolina head coach Cliff Ellis said. “I thought that he was making a mistake. At the same time, he’s done a lot with the teams and I know he will bring it when it comes to the court. I hope he learns from this experience and shut the door on this and move forward. We’re glad he is back.”
Coastal Carolina will open the 2009-10 season Friday, Nov. 13 against the College of Charleston in Kimbel Arena.
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