Andre Harris
By Anthony Garcia
Posted On: 09/11/16 10:00 AM
At 26th in Prep Hoops Ohio’s 2019 player rankings, Andre Harris (2019) may actually be underrated. The 6’2” guard is highly regarded for applying his athleticism to the defensive end of the floor.
According to Brush Head Coach, Chet Mason, he’s fielded interest from a number of Division I programs: Akron, Kent State, Cleveland State, Youngstown State, Toledo, and Wyoming University.
Mason mentioned that Cleveland State, Youngstown State, and Akron have “high interest in him.”
“I just want to go to a school where it’s like home — like the coaching staff and the players are just like family. How it is here,” Harris said of his future decision.
Coach Mason is leading a budding program, stacked with young talent. Harris is a crucial piece of that roster, usually tasked with defending the opponent’s best payer, whether that be the point guard or the power forward.
“I’m like a combo guard. Rebound a lot. I like playing defense the most. Just being a dog on the court,” Harris said, when asked to describe his game.
When playing with Ohio Basketball Club this summer, Harris was able to zoom past defenders when they closed out. When he arrives at the rim, Harris a consistent finisher.
Once defenders begin adjusting, Harris is going to be forced to hit that three-point shot. Shooting is undoubtedly a learned skill, and it’s an area Harris says he’s been focusing on. The young prospect also identified ball-security as an area he’d like to improve.
Sophomore year is often that time when student-athletes begin building habits. Brush’s new athletic facility is keeping the young talent in the gym and improving.
Coach Mason, a recently retired professional player who experienced the recruitment process, is placing an emphasis on academics. As a student, Harris has earned a 3.7 GPA.
“[Academics] come before basketball and all that other stuff. Try to keep my GPA high, because you can’t really get anywhere without it,” Harris said.
Considering the upside of Harris, DJ Dial, and John Hugley, scouts will be checking out a lot of Harris’ games over the next three seasons.
DJ Dial
Posted On: 10/7/16 6:00 AM
Last time PHOH spoke to Cleveland Brush point guard, DJ Dial (2019), everything was pointing in a promising direction. The young floor general was taking in an interest in commanding the court as a freshman on an upcoming Brush team, and had a noticeable thirst for improvement. The only piece that was missing was college interest.
Ten months later, the 16th ranked sophomore in Ohio received an offer from Kent State. Teammate, and potential co-captain Andre Harris, was offered the same day.
The 5’8” underclassman is also receiving mail from a number of college programs: Cleveland State, Tennessee State, Jackson (MI), Dillard (LA), and North Carolina A & T.
Furthermore, Brush head coach Chet Mason said that Toledo, Akron, Youngstown State, and Cleveland State have “all been in to see him.”
It goes without saying that a D-I offer before your sophomore season is unusual and a monumental accomplishment. For Dial, he’s remaining humble.
“The work has only begun now,” Dial said. Specifically, Dial broke down what he’s been focusing on, “Better leadership. Commanding the floor, being a better floor general. We got a young team, so I’m going to have to command the court and I have one year [of] experience so I’m going to have to be a leader this year.”
For a young team, there’s few people across the Ohio who you’d rather have at the helm of your team. Dial is not only great at hitting a floater in the lane, he’s an admirable young man off the court too.
“It’s bigger than basketball. Off the court, I try to get involved in the community. I try to be a student-athlete, and set the goal for student-athletes. Not just for basketball, but for anybody to look at at school to see what Brush student-athletes are like, to be an example,” Dial said.
Dial is also in discussions with his mother to create a foundation and fundraiser for Leukemia.
He is carrying a 3.6 GPA.
Even during our interview, it’s apparent that Dial is purposeful in everything he does. On the court, he’s continuing to improve the pull-up jumper, but he’s most concerning with becoming the best possible leader.
“All of the players that Coach Chet got around me right now, they’re only going to make me look better. So, all I got to do is go out here and be leader, run a team,” Dial said.
Obviously, Dial will be a name you’ll continue to hear in Ohio recruiting news. With three more seasons, it’s hard to say how high his recruitment can reach.
At the moment, Dial is looking for academics and said he’d like to leave Ohio and explore another region in college. Maybe the interest from schools in the South is a sign that Dial will be at a warm-weather college in a few years.
