NBL24 season review - Michael Harris

Known for his shooting ability, the second-year Development Player also became a defensive weapon for head coach John Rillie.

Harris featured in 26 games last season - up from 17 the year before - averaging 2.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.4 assists in about 8.4 minutes per game.

His efforts earned him a spot on the main roster for NBL25.

“I just try and make sure I’m ready when my number’s called. I know I probably won’t play big minutes like the other guys, but I’m ready to come in and play defence, rebound, and do the little things ... that’s what I’m getting tapped on the shoulder for,” Harris said during the season.

“I’ve just been working on my defence. It’s something I want to take pride in and it’s something I want to do to the best of my ability every time I step onto the floor.

“I think I showed in the pre-season I can play good defence on good players, and I think John saw that and trusts me with defensive assignments. He threw me out there, I held my own and now I’ve been trusted to do that every time I step on the floor.

“When I don’t really hit many shots, but stay out on the floor for other things it’s definitely different but it’s something I’m pretty proud of, because I wasn’t known as much of a defensive guy, or a rebounding guys, it was more ‘he’s a scorer and that’s it’, so I’m pretty proud that I can be on the floor for reasons other than scoring or shooting.”

Harris’ best game of the season came against Brisbane at RAC Arena on January 19, scoring 10 points - including 100 per cent from the field - in 14 minutes.

It followed on from six points and three rebounds in nine minutes against New Zealand in Auckland and seven points in 11 minutes against South East Melbourne.

The 24-year-old is spending the off-season in Perth, playing for NBL1 West outfit Warwick Senators.

He’s started the season with a bang, averaging 25.25 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.25 assists.

Michael Harris - NBL24 stats

Points: 2.7 per game

Rebounds: 1.5

Assists: 0.4