By Lindsay Auld
Wesley Harris has had his fair share of basketball playing
time over the last few years. The 6-foot-8 junior forward
attended Northeast Mississippi Community College as
a freshman and from there he went to Lawson State
Community College in Birmingham, Alabama.
It was not until the November signing period before the
2017-18 season that Harris signed with West Virginia
University.
The 200-pound forward started in all 37 contests in
his first season at WVU, averaging 5.3 points and 3.6
rebounds per contest in 20.6 minutes per game.
All of his hard work comes from his passion for the
game and wanting to help his team perform to the best
of its ability. His 15 blocks were second best on the
team and his 22 steals ranked him fourth on the team in
the 2017-18 season.
2
“I just like to help my team. Whatever I have to do
to help my team win I will do,” Harris stated. “If it is
playing defense, spotting up, making open shots,
rebounding, whatever, I just like to play ball. I put a
lot of work in. I really don’t sleep a lot, so I will be in
the gym a lot of nights. I just put in a lot of work and
a lot of time.”
The Jackson, Mississippi, resident is used to having
different roles on the court, and he is a player who can
adapt to different positions to help his team.
“Adapting is what I try to do the most,” Harris said.
“I try to be versatile. I try to be able to dribble well,
shoot, defend smaller guards, I just try to make myself
a weapon.”
Harris’ versatility gives him the chance to play
different roles for the Mountaineer, but he really enjoys
playing defense.
“I just like to play defense,” he said. “I believe defense
helps get the rest of the guys pumped up and
energetic.”
Wesley Harris has made the most of his time as a
Mountaineer in his two seasons in Morgantown. His
skills and versatility have shaped him into an influential
teammate who continues to make a difference for the
Mountaineers on the court.
“I JUST LIKE TO PLAY BALL. I PUT A LOT OF
WORK IN. I REALLY DON’T SLEEP A LOT, SO I
WILL BE IN THE GYM A LOT OF NIGHTS. I JUST
PUT IN A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF TIME.”
– WESLEY HARRIS
Lindsay Auld is a student assistant
in the WVU Athletic Communications office.
3