FAYETTEVILLE - Bidding a “Thank you Razorback Nation,” University of Arkansas senior to-be basketball point guard Jalen Harris, announced on Twitter Tuesday he has put his name in the transfer portal as a graduate transfer for his final season of collegiate eligibility in 2020-2021.
It will be the third school in five years for Harris, a freshman who played 31 games as a 2016-2017 freshman for the University of New Mexico, transferred to former Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks in 2017-2018 while having to redshirt, lettered for Anderson’s 2018-2019 Razorbacks starting all 34 games, averaging 7.6 points, 5.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds and lettered again in 2019-2020 for Coach Eric Musselman’s Razorbacks.
Mostly playing off the bench as sixth man behind senior graduate transfer point guard Jimmy Whitt, junior guard Mason Jones and sophomore guards Isaiah Joe, Harris played in all 32 games averaging 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Harris made it known he leaves for opportunity with great feelings for Arkansas. “These past three years as an Arkansas Razorback have been the best years of my life,” Harris tweeted. “After much prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to enter the transfer portal for my final year of eligibility. Thank you to my teammates who have supported me along the way. A special thank you to my coaches for believing in me and pushing me to get better every day. Lastly, thank you to all the Razorbacks fans for your unwavering support. Playing in the Bud (Bud Walton Arena) is something that I’ll cherish forever.”
Harris becomes the first underclassman declaring he’s leaving the program since the 20-12 Razorbacks concluded their season winning their first round SEC Tournament game before the tournament was canceled because of the national emergency declared to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Jones, an honorable mention All-American, SEC leading scorer and the Associated Press SEC Co-Player of the Year with Mississippi State forward Reggie Perry, and Joe, the SEC’s leading 3-point shooter, are both believed to be pondering whether to return to the UA, declare themselves for the NBA draft, or at least explore NBA opportunities with the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee which can be done without necessarily committing to turn pro and leaves the option of returning to school.