Darnell Harris to Cleveland State

[1972Shocker]

ESPN Recruiting Profile

At the time of his commitment to FIU he was ranked #83 (#19 at his position).

So Darnell is one of those coveted top 100 players. Get 'em coach Ford!

It sounds like his game has some similarities to Aaron Ellis's, although with a bit less height and a bit more bulk.

Maybe, although Aaron was always ready and able to put out defensively.

[The Mad Hatter]

ESPN Recruiting Profile

At the time of his commitment to FIU he was ranked #83 (#19 at his position).

So Darnell is one of those coveted top 100 players. Get 'em coach Ford!

It sounds like his game has some similarities to Aaron Ellis's, although with a bit less height and a bit more bulk.

Maybe, although Aaron was always ready and able to put out defensively.

Yes, whether he resembles Aaron on the defensive end of the floor will depend on his attitude and work ethic, but he seems to possess a similar skill set (although with perhaps a bit more polish and range on the offensive end).

[1972Shocker]

I actually like this possibility better than Walker. Walker probably would have contributed more in his one and done year but this kid would (hopefully) be around for 4 years with substantially more upside assuming we have the ability to make room for him on the roster.

[The Mad Hatter]

I actually like this possibility better than Walker. Walker probably would have contributed more in his one and done year but this kid would (hopefully) be around for 4 years with substantially more upside assuming we have the ability to make room for him on the roster.

The only counter-point to that is that there is a lot of talent in the 2012 class and Walker only being around for 1 year would allow that scholarship to go straight to someone in that class. That assumes you would get one of your top targets in that class of course, whereas if you get Harris you know you have gotten a high level player.

[tropicalshox]

I'm usually concerned about late signing high school players. Many times they do not belong at the level they end up at. Not so for Harris. He has talent and should be a good one for 4 years.

[RoyalShock]

I'm usually concerned about late signing high school players. Many times they do not belong at the level they end up at. Not so for Harris. He has talent and should be a good one for 4 years.

Which is why I don't think Marshall's pursuit of him means he thinks his team will be thin in the post. Anytime you can get a 4-year player who was top-100 right before his senior year, you take him.

If he chooses WSU, it will certainly make for a strong group of forwards all in the same class (White, Ede, Harris).

[shockmonster]

Matrshall likes to have options and depth. He remembers years when players he counted on were hurt and others struggled to play well. He likes to have all scholarships taken by quality people and play the best.[

[ShockTalk]

Trying to divide up minutes among many quality players is a "good problem". Keeps everyone working hard and charged up, including the coaches handling it.

Far worse to have a bench that is little threat to the starters for playing time or that is unable to pick up for an injured teammate.

[1972Shocker]

If we do reel in Darnell will he be too late to be eligible for the trip to Brazil?
I am assuming that is the case.

[RoyalShock]

If we do reel in Darnell will he be too late to be eligible for the trip to Brazil?
I am assuming that is the case.

I think it was mentioned in the Walker thread that he had to be enrolled by July 6 or thereabouts.

[1972Shocker]

If the 2012 class gets too crowded at a particular position then a redshirt might come into play to re-balance the classes.

[WSUwatcher]

Harris

I'm usually concerned about late signing high school players. Many times they do not belong at the level they end up at. Not so for Harris. He has talent and should be a good one for 4 years.

Yes, trop, I remember seeing recently a comment by Self on how Brandon Rush "fell to" Kansas in August a while back. Sometimes the late "gets" are among the best, which would appear to be the case with this guy if WSU could indeed reel him in.

The interesting thing about Harris to me is not so much his impact on this year's roster, but on next year's recruiting. Look at WSU's 2012-3 roster, assuming the Shocks are able to land Harris, everyone who's able to do so sticks around, the commitments hold up, etc.:

C
Orupke, sr

PF/C
Hall, sr
*Uwadiae, fr (current verbal)

PF
White, so
Harris, so
*(possible recruit -- i.e., Ellis or Thurman), fr

SF
Egharevba, so
Wessel, so (who knows where he'll play, but I'll put him here)

SG
Baker, fr (redshirt in 2011-12)

SG/PG
Williams, sr
Cotton, fr/so (will he redshirt this coming year? I say yes)

PG
Armstead, sr
*Van Vleet, fr (current verbal)

*new for 2012-3

That's 13 already (and in a very interesting combination: four each seniors and sophs, five freshmen, and no juniors -- a couple of juco recruits from the Class of 2013, anyone?).

So Armstead's status is key, not just for this year but also for next. If he's on scholarship in 2012-3, and everyone else fills or keeps his anticipated spot, and Harris comes to WSU this year, the Shocks are already down to only one more opening for players becoming available next year -- such as Ellis, Thurman, Durley, Newbill, Bullard, Gaines, or whoever is your particular favorite.

Harris sounds like he'd be a great addition, and there's nothing wrong with having a jump on next year's recruiting. But it would be pretty early to have the roster almost full in case someone really steps up this coming season.

[Snapshot9]

I definitely think we should get Harris if we can. He sounds like he has a solid offensive game, and defense can be improved by good coaching. I just don't know where the schollie would come from???

[tropicalshox]

CoachMTLmatt lacy

We played a local Milwaukee team "runnin rebels" with an impressive PF Darnell Harris..prolly 6'8 230 240..rebounded and made tough shots

[wufan]

Okay Trop...Is he REALLY going to be a Shocker?