Jared Harris explains why he selected Duke basketball instead of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Players frequently have to make difficult decisions about where to pursue their academic and athletic careers in the cutthroat world of college basketball recruitment.
Three elite universities—Duke University, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Kentucky—were left to choose Tennessee guard Jared Harris. In a recent interview, Harris discussed his reasoning and the main elements that influenced his decision to make Duke his next stop.
Since his early high school years, Jared Harris has been a standout player, receiving praise for his talent, agility, and basketball IQ. Several elite programs expressed interest in him during his recruitment process, but Harris took the time to consider each school’s offerings in terms of academics, campus culture, long-term goals, and basketball.
“Duke really impressed me with its commitment to academics,” he noted. “I want to ensure that I have options beyond basketball, and I believe Duke will provide me with the tools and resources to succeed in the classroom.”
Comparing Programs Harris couldn’t ignore the strong competition posed by both Tennessee and Kentucky. The Volunteers, his home-state program, have a passionate fan base and a rising reputation under Coach Rick Barnes.
The Volunteers, his home-state program, have a passionate fan base and a rising reputation under Coach Rick Barnes. Tennessee offered Harris the chance to play close to home, but he felt that he could have a greater impact and develop his game further at Duke.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats, led by Coach John Calipari, are also known for their focus on player development and sending athletes to the NBA. Harris acknowledged this, stating, “Kentucky is a fantastic program with a great
