Denijay Harris

BORN: 29/05/2000

LAST TEAM: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (NCAA)

HEIGHT: 201 cm

WEIGHT: 91 kg

PRO

• Athleticism
• Slasher
• Rebounder

WEAKNESSES

• 3-P consistency
• Management possessions
• Defensive discipline

VIDEO

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ACTUAL

POTENTIAL

INTRODUCTION

Denijay Harris began his collegiate basketball journey at Southern Miss, where he redshirted his freshman year in 2019-20. Over the subsequent seasons, he developed into a key player for the Golden Eagles. In the 2022-23 season, with Southern Miss winning the regular season of the Sun Belt, Harris started in 20 games alongside Austin Crowley, DeAndre Pinckney, and Felipe Haase. He recorded three double-doubles that season, including a standout 18-point, 12-rebound performance against South Alabama in the Sun Belt Tournament. After an unsuccessful transfer to Arkansas, Harris returned to the Golden Eagles for his final year of eligibility, where he is having his breakout season, averaging a double-double.

PHYSICAL

Denijay Harris possesses a solid frame for his role. His size and athleticism allow him to be effective in the paint. A vertical player, dynamic and able to run the court well. He has demonstrated good lateral mobility and agility, which aid in his rebounding and defensive efforts thanks to good responsiveness. However, adding additional muscle mass could enhance his ability to contend with more physical opponents and better absorb contact, both on screens and in traffic near the rim. Finally, better body control and balance could help avoid offensive fouls when attacking the rim.

OFFENSIVE PHASE

Denijay Harris is a slashing forward who moves very well off the ball; when he receives the ball in motion, he attacks the rim productively. He can also produce from mid-range off the dribble, although he has room to make his handling more reliable (2.7 turnovers per game). Speaking of his finishing abilities (52.3% from 2-P on 9.4 attempts), it’s important to highlight a three-point shot that has only emerged this season and is very raw (32.7% on 2.1 attempts), but it is crucial for making him a versatile scorer. He has a knack for positioning himself well for offensive rebounds, providing second-chance opportunities for his team (2.4 per game). His passing skills are limited, as he is more of a finisher who attacks the rim with his athleticism, which makes him a good free-throw generator, and the work in progress is also evident in this area: for the first time in his career, he is shooting over 70% (72% on 6.3 attempts after 25 games).

DEFENSIVE PHASE

Denijay Harris leverages his size and athleticism to effectively guard multiple positions. His lateral quickness allows him to stay in front of smaller players, while his strength enables him to battle in the post against opposing forwards. Energetic and very active in help defense, his defensive awareness and ability to contest shots make him a valuable asset on this end of the floor (1.6 blocks per game). With his vertical jump, he is very involved in rebounding (averaging 10.7) and can lead some fast breaks. However, it’s not all perfect; he has lapses in rotations and lacks the defensive discipline to be considered an elite defender, but he has the athletic tools to become one.

IMPROVED AREAS

Denijay Harris should focus on developing a more consistent perimeter shot, which would make him a more versatile offensive threat. Additionally, improving his free-throw percentage would capitalize on his ability to draw fouls and increase his scoring output. Continuing to build strength will aid in his ability to defend against more physical opponents and secure rebounds. By addressing these areas, Harris can become a more complete player and increase his appeal to professional teams.