BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Consistency helped Seminole County’s Jordan Harris lead way

One important thing that every great athlete has, no matter the sports, is consistency.

That is what has enabled Seminole County High School junior guard and Herald Super 6er Jordan Harris to lead his team to the 2015 GHSA Class AA state title.

It also helped Harris earn the 2015 Albany Herald Boys Player of The Year award.

“Jordan has been consistent from the first game,” Seminole County head coach Kevin Godwin said. “During big games, he has an ability to turn his play up a notch. Every time we needed Jordan to play big, he would.”

Harris played big the entire season, averaging 28 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, as well as compiling 72 assists for the season.

While Harris is getting the accolades, he is not silent, making sure everyone knows he had a lot of help in making this season possible.

“I thank God, my teammates and coaches for putting me in a position to do great things on the court,” Harris said. “It’s just a blessing and this was my best and favorite year so far.”

The Indians had a solid season a year ago, finishing 20-4 and losing in the Class A public school quarterfinals. The shortcoming left Harris and the Indians wanting more.

In the first game of the season — a 65-39 win at Mitchell County — Harris sent a message to his coaches, teammates and opponents that he was ready to lead Seminole County to the state title.

He scored 27 points and could have scored more.

The impact that Harris has made on the Seminole County program has been strong.

“Since Jordan started playing varsity basketball three years ago, in three years, we have won 70 games, won two region championships and one state championship … that says a lot,” Godwin said. “The type of player Jordan Harris is doesn’t come into a small program very often. He’s not just a physical ability that makes him so special, but his ability to be a leader and make his teammates better. Jordan is also a student of the game. It’s like having a coach on the floor.”

Off the court, Harris’ demeanor and personality have also made a big impact.

“Jordan Harris is a pleasure to be around,” Seminole County principal Brinson Register said. “He’s a good kid both on and off the court. He is a fine example of what we consider to be a true student-athlete.”

Harris’ leadership was evident to his teammates.

“It was very exciting playing with him,” Seminole County junior guard Anfernee King said. “I got to throw alleys and watch him come with a hard dunk. His leadership on and off the court is tremendous. He’s a great teammate and friend.”

With his senior season still to come, Harris is ready to Seminole County once again. Harris verbally committed to Georgia last fall, but other suitors have been knocking such as Michigan State, Florida State, Mississippi State, UCLA, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Harris loves basketball so much that he has no desire to try other sports.

One thing about Harris is that he doesn’t really care about what people think about him as a player.

“I’m just trying to be the best player I can be,” he said. “It’s kinda like I’m everyone’s big game, so when they come out all hyped up, I just give them what they’re looking for.”

Harris has a love and passion for the game of basketball, but there was a time when that love and passion got him into trouble such as when he once skipped school to play basketball.

Jordan’s mother, Erica Harris, said there was a time when a certain great athlete captivated her son.

“Jordan always watched Michael Jordan play on TV, and he used to say ‘My name is Jordan and I am gong to play like him one day,’ ” Erica Harris said. “Jordan started playing recreation ball at the age of six until he was old enough to play with school ball.

“Throughout the recreation years, all of his coaches used to say, ‘For being this young, this kid can play some basketball. If you keep him playing, one day, he’ll be a good player.’ ”

Erica Harris said that Jordan listened to what the coaches were telling her about him.

She said it fueled a desire in him to be great.

“From sun up to sun down, Jordan would stay outside playing basketball, sometimes by himself,” she said. “I asked Jordan if he wanted to play any other sports. He tried them, but he said ‘I just want to play basketball.’ When it wasn’t basketball season, Jordan felt down, and that’s why I wanted him to play other sports.”

Mrs. Harris said that Jwon Hopkins, a family cousin, started his own AAU team in their backyard with just five players. That gave Jordan the opportunity to play basketball during the summer.

“Jordan still plays AAU ball and he led the Indians to a state title,” she said. “I’m very proud of Jordan. God first and everything else will fall into place.”

Harris’ journey has not been without adversity. During the summer after his freshman season, he broke his leg during his first summer league game and the season.

“When that happened, all I did was lay on the couch and I used to want to play so bad but I couldn’t,” he said. “All I did was watch MJ and I just wanted to do some of the things I saw him do.”

But Harris rebounded and hasn’t slowed down since.