New Mexico transfer PG says UA perfect fit
Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball Coach Mike Anderson received an oral commitment from New Mexico point guard transfer Jalen Harris on Friday night during his official visit, which ended Saturday.
Harris, 6-2, 160 pounds, started 18 of 31 games as a freshman for the Lobos this past season and averaged 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists a game. He was second on the team with 25 steals.
Harris was accompanied by his parents, and said Anderson and assistant T.J. Cleveland made him feel at home.
“First of all, everybody is just like a big family,” Harris said. “That’s the first thing that stuck out to my parents and myself. Coach Anderson and Coach Cleveland are really good people. That made us feel at home.”
Cleveland and Harris started communicating shortly after Harris announced his plans to transfer from New Mexico on March 28, and they worked out the timing for his eventual visit.
The Hogs uptempo style of play was a big part of him deciding to be a Razorback.
“Coach Anderson showed me that with the things I do, I can fit in and play my game,” Harris said. “That was one of the biggest reasons I decided to commit.”
Harris played at Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., and averaged 17 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds per game as a senior, before going to New Mexico.
Harris said Anderson wants him to come in and be hungry to play.
“He basically told me to come in and be myself and be a dog and play with a chip on my shoulder,” Harris said.
He shot 44 percent from the field and 26 percent from beyond the three-point line and hit 74 percent from the free throw line for the Lobos.
Harris said Anderson wants him to push the ball.
“I’m really fast with the ball so he wants me to come in and play fast and just be myself and that was the biggest thing that stuck out to my parents and myself,” Harris said.
Harris, who plans to major in communication, said he plans to work hard during his transfer season.
“But the biggest thing for me is getting bigger and stronger and getting prepared for next year,” Harris said.
RED-WHITE WASHOUT
The forecast of heavy rain and thunderstorms that forced Arkansas football officials to cancel Saturday’s Red-White spring game and practice indoors put a dent in the amount of recruits visiting for the weekend.
About 15 prospects made the trip, including linebacker DeShaun White, 6-1, 210, of Richland High School in North Richland Hills, Texas, who received a scholarship offer from Arkansas on Saturday. White now has 15 offers, including ones from Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, TCU, UCLA and Ole Miss.
Quarterback Gerry Bohanon, 6-4, 220, of Earle, arrived Friday to start his visit and was seen hanging out with with Hogs quarterback commitment Connor Noland of Greenwood.
Noland said he is hoping to convince Bohanon, who has scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Baylor, Georgia, Louisville as well as Arkansas, to be a Hog.
Defensive lineman Emmit Gooden, 6-4, 320, of Independence Community College in Kansas stayed over Saturday and planned to hang out with Hogs defensive lineman McTelvin Agim. The two became friends while going through the recruiting process in high school.
Gooden reports 15 scholarship offers, including ones from Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisville and others. The Razorbacks extended an offer on Wednesday.
Numerous signees were on hand, including receiver Koilan Jackson of Joe T. Robinson, receiver Maleek Barkley of Austin (Texas) Lake Travis, running back Chase Hayden of Collierville (Tenn.) St. George’s, cornerback Chevin Calloway of Dallas Bishop Dunne.
E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com