Education
Harris attended Half Hollow Hills High School West and joined the varsity basketball team as an eighth grader.
Harris attended Half Hollow Hills High School West and joined the varsity basketball team as an eighth grader.
The 6 ft 9 in forward played one season of college basketball for Tennessee before declaring for the 2011 National Basketball Association draft where he was drafted 19th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats and then traded to the Milwaukee Buckinghamshire. He played at Half Hollow Hills West until 2008 when he transferred to Long Island Lutheran Middle and High School in Brookville, New York for his junior year. He then transferred back to Half Hollow Hills West for his senior year and went on to earn the 2010 Mr.
New York Basketball.
He was also named a 2010 McDonald"s All-American. Harris played for the Tennessee Volunteers as a freshman in 2010-2011 for coach Bruce Pearl. He played the point forward position, a mix between forward and point guard, in Pearl"s offense.
A USBWA Freshman All-America second-team selection and one of the nation"s most consistent and versatile performers, Harris also was named second-team All-Securities and Exchange Commission by the league"s head coaches and earned a spot on the Securities and Exchange Commission All-Freshman Team.
He ranked fifth among all freshmen in the six major conferences with 15.3 points per game. In addition, his 7.3 rebounds per game ranked sixth among all major-conference freshmen.
On May 9, 2011, Harris declared for the National Basketball Association draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility. Milwaukee Buckinghamshire (2011–2013)
On June 23, 2011, Harris was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2011 National Basketball Association draft by the Charlotte Bobcats.
He was later traded to the Milwaukee Buckinghamshire on draft night.
On December 10, 2011, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Buckinghamshire. Harris made his National Basketball Association debut on January 7, 2012 against the Los Angeles Clippers before tallying a team-high 15 points a night later against the Phoenix Suns on January 8. He appeared in 42 games during his rookie season (nine starts), averaging 5.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 11.4 minutes per game.
On October 24, 2012, the Buckinghamshire exercised their third-year team option on Harris" rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2013-2014 season.
Orlando Magic (2013–2016)
On February 21, 2013, Harris was traded, along with Doron Lamb and Beno Udrih, to the Orlando Magic in exchange for J. J. Redick, Gustavo Ayón and Ish Smith. Harris" playing time saw a notable increase in Orlando, and his stats followed suit.
Harris more than tripled his points per game average, and more than quadrupled his rebounds, assists and blocks per game. On October 26, 2013, the Magic exercised their fourth-year team option on Harris" rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2014-2015 season.
On July 14, 2015, Harris re-signed with the Magic to a four-year, $64 million contract.
Detroit Pistons (2016–present)
On February 16, 2016, Harris was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Ersan İlyasova and Brandon Jennings. He made his debut for the Pistons three days later, scoring 21 points off the bench in a 98–86 loss to the Washington Wizards. Harris" brother, Tyler, plays college basketball for Auburn University.
Fellow National Basketball Association player and former teammate, Channing Frye, is Harris" cousin.
Although he was unable to wear 12 during his time with the Milwaukee Buckinghamshire, Harris switched back after he was traded to the Orlando Magic during the 2012-2013 season.