2014-2014 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Meet Andrew Harrison
With BBM and the Blue/White scrimmage already gone by, the 2014-2015 season is upon us with the first exhibition game on Sunday. This means it’s time to meet the players…again. Today, we look at Andrew Harrison and look at what to expect from him this year.
Andrew Harrison #5
6’6″ , 210, guard
Oct 17, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Andrew Harrison (5) dribbles the ball during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
High School
Andrew and his twin, Aaron attended Travis High School in Richmond, Texas. Given 5 stars and a 96 grade by ESPN he was ranked #1 at his position and #5 on the ESPN top 150- behind now NBA rookies Wiggins, Parker, Randle and Gordon and two ahead of his brother. The point guard also had offers from SMU, Kansas and Arizona and his decision came down to Kentucky and Maryland…we all know what happened there- he signed with Kentucky October 4, 2012. He averaged 15.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists en route to Travis’ state title his senior year. He also played in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Jordan Brand Classic.
He was pretty sick, even back in the day:
Freshman Season
He averaged 10.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4 assists starting all but one game as a true freshman. He scored a career high 26 points and went 100% from the free throw line (of 10) in UK’s win against Tennessee. Andrew had a great freshman year season, hitting the #3 mark for freshman single-season record of 159 assists.
In case you forgot, here’s what he looked like that game (feat. his brother):
Sophomore season
After shocking the world on the court, several of the Cats shocked the world off the court- by returning to Kentucky the following season. Among those, Andrew Harrison. Over the summer on the Big Blue Bahamas tour, Andrew averaged 21 minutes a game, 86% from the FT line, 6.5 PPG, and 1.8 rebounds. He also had 31 assists.
Like you saw in the video above, you rarely (if ever) saw or mentioned one twin without the other- something Calipari is out to change this season it seems. For the NBA Combine/”practice” the two were often on opposing teams. At media day Calipari said this was to show the NBA scouts they can play without each other and they are separate players with their individual strengths and weaknesses- he wants people to see them apart as part of him “taking care of his players” so they can take care of each other. Which is fine and good, I’m all for the twins having individuality- which is why their double Big Blue Madness intro threw me. Both twins slimmed down to about 8% body fat according to Cal and look a lot more physical.
"On media day, he was asked how Tyler Ulis contributes to the team, “It’s fun. We push each other, and we’re making each other better. He really picks up the ball full-court, he’s great defensively.” He also commented on how he feels he has improved and what he has learned about himself since last season , “I dropped a couple pounds. I feel like I’m lighter on feet, can jump higher and move faster. I feel like I understand the game better and I’m more comfortable on the court…I enjoy my teammates and hopefully they enjoy me. As a point guard you really can’t play angry. You have to play within your team. I feel like I made that mistake last year trying to prove some stuff, but as a point guard you can’t play angry. You have to play determined. You can’t play angry, like I have to score or I have to play like this, you have to play within the team. He also says he has worked on leadership skills, “I’m trying to be more vocal. I’m trying to lead every drill, go the hardest every drill. Hopefully I succeed in doing that … We know that you can’t play your best every night. But when you know you have such a surplus of talent on your team you know anything can happen. Anybody can have 20 points at any moment of the game.”"
Andrew led all scorers in the Blue/White scrimmage Monday with 19 points. We saw the twins together that night, but as always with Cal, the platoons are subject to change. Andrew went 5-9, 1-9 from the arc and a perfect 8/8 from the FT line. He also had 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal but 7 turnovers.
"After the scrimmage, he told the media, “We are far ahead of last year, I feel. I feel like I have gotten a lot better. I had six turnovers in the first half, and that is unacceptable. I just have to play better.” He said experience has helped the team, “We worked so hard in the offseason that I feel like we have confidence. I feel like I am the best guard on the court and can make my team better.” He also added that his teammates he played against Monday night would be the biggest team he had to face all year: “With Willie (Cauley-Stein) on my team you can really pressure the ball. It is hard for the guards to get it over him. It is the same thing for Dakari (Johnson). He has gotten so much better from last year. It is tough, but it makes you better as a guard. ”"
Oct 17, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball around guard Andrew Harrison (5) at Rupp Arena during Big Blue Madness. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Both Andrew and Aaron are in place to have a huge season. With depth on the team their minutes will be more valuable because they can constantly give 100% without worrying about conserving energy. Per Draft Express, if the NBA Draft was today Andrew would be the #25 overall pick. They list that at the NBA Combine at Kentucky he had a 6′ 8.25″ wingspan, 8′ 3″ standing reach, 4.0% body fat, 30.0 inch no step vert, 36.5 inch max vert. They have him at 6’5″ without shoes and 6’6″ with them and 210 pounds. They have him ranked 8th in NCAA sophomores and I’d be willing to bet at least one ahead of him is more than likely a teammate.
I’ll be interested to see what platoon Andrew and Aaron end up in once the exhibition games are said and done, but one thing is for sure- this will be a fun season for all…at least those who are Kentucky fans.