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Harrison Adds Versatility, Consistent Scoring to ULM Lineup

Harrison Adds Versatility, Consistent Scoring to ULM Lineup

Men's Basketball Dec 11
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

On a new-look ULM basketball team, transfer Russell Harrison passes the eye test.

The 6-foot-7 forward from Clarendon (Texas) College announced his arrival Wednesday night in an impressive home debut with 22 points, nine rebounds, two 3-pointers and three assists in 36 minutes. Although the Warhawks lost to Lamar on a last-second shot, Harrison's skill set is one of the reasons ULM coach Keith Richard feels optimistic about this season.

"He's learning how to get used to the speed and strength of Division I college basketball, kind of like everybody else," Richard said. "But I think you can tell when you watch him play that he's got good skill and he's going to be a good player."

Harrison arrived at ULM with robust credentials after being named Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Junior College Player of the Year. After averaging 18.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, Harrison earned first-team NJCAA Division I All-America honors as a sophomore and was ranked among the nation's Top 10 prospects (No. 7) by JucoRecruiting.com.

Seeking more scoring punch in ULM's overhaul, Richard targeted Harrison as a guy who could help. So far, so good as Harrison is averaging 16 points and seven rebounds through three games.

"Even through preseason practice, he hasn't disappointed us," Richard said. "In preseason practices, he was our most consistent scorer. I think you'll see that throughout the season."

During his recruitment, Harrison made just one campus visit (to UTSA) because of COVID-19 and never saw ULM in person before signing with the Warhawks.

"I talked to Coach Richard over the phone and he told me about the way the system was," Harrison said. "I thought this would be a good fit for me with the motion he runs and be an easier chance for me to put myself in positions to score the ball. That's what I bring to the table, in my opinion."

Coming with Harrison to ULM were his junior college teammate Elijah Gonzales and head coach Isaac Fontenot-Amedee, who joined Richard's staff. Clarendon College posted its best record in school history, finishing the 2019-20 season at 29-3, winning both the Western Junior College Athletic Conference (14-2) and NJCAA Region V Championships while qualifying for its first-ever appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament before COVID-19 forced cancellation.

"Elijah and I played together last year and we had talked about coming here together," Harrison said. "That was a big part of it, as well as Coach Isaac coming with us as well."

Richard deploys Harrison at the power forward position, which allows the rangy baller's versatility to shine.

"We play him at the four, in hopes that we'll have offensive mismatches with him," Richard said. "He can score the ball outside and go inside and drive it some too. There's a lot of talent there to work with. As he moves through the season and keeps getting better, we'll see more and more."

Although ULM's first home game didn't end well, Harrison's performance on the ESPN Plus broadcast was a bright spot.

"I was super excited," Harrison said. "First Division I game for me being televised. I wanted to go in there and play the right way but still do what I can do."

A native of Lubbock, Texas, Harrison said settling into Monroe hasn't been a difficult adjustment.

"It's not too much different," Harrison said. "The food is a little more Southern, but West Texas is not much different culture-wise. When I came here, it kind of reminded me of back home in some ways."

As the season progresses and the team comes together, Harrison has growing expectations.

"The past few games we've played have really helped," he said. "In the past week, I feel like we've grown as a team and gotten better. Coming in here as a leader and an All-American, I feel like I have to step up and keep pushing these guys every day to work hard and get better every day."
 
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