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Recruit Report: Gateway's Harris picks Delaware
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Barnett Harris' life these days consists of getting up at 6:45 a.m., putting on a military uniform, getting into formation, keeping his room spotless, his shoes shined and his face clean-shaven.
But it's a life that Harris was willing to live to reach his ultimate goal -- a Division I basketball scholarship.
Harris, a former Gateway High School basketball player, is attending Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Va. A few days ago, Harris accepted a scholarship to the University of Delaware, an NCAA Division I school. He will sign a letter of intent with the Blue Hens next month during the NCAA's weeklong early signing period.
"It was a long journey [to get the Division I scholarship] and it was rough at times. I've been through some things with recruiting," said Harris, who graduated from Gateway in June. "But, all in all, I thank God that I'm in this position now. I'm grateful for this opportunity and I'm glad I can totally focus on the next step of my career."
Harris, a 6-foot-10 forward, was recruited by Division I schools while at Gateway, but he said "some things fell through." So after helping Gateway win a second consecutive WPIAL Class AAAA championship in March, he found himself with an uncertain college future. So this summer, he decided to attend Fishburne, a school with a three-year-old basketball program that has produced a number of Division I college players.
Since coming to Fishburne, Harris said he had about eight Division I scholarship offers, and he believes Fishburne has helped him tremendously. He lives a disciplined life as the basketball season is right around the corner.
"It's not that bad here. You get used to it," Harris said in a telephone interview. "It has helped me a lot. I've gotten way more mature here. As you may know, I wasn't the most disciplined individual on the court when I was in high school. I think I was always pretty mature off the floor, but not on the floor."
As for his reasons of choosing Delaware, Harris said: "I visited there and just thought it was a good situation, with everything from the coaching staff to the academics. ... They're picked second this year in the [Colonial Athletic Association], which is an up-and-coming conference."
• Central Valley star receiver Robert Foster plans to visit the University of Alabama this weekend. His other two finalists are Pitt and Ohio State, and he also plans to visit those two schools.
• Clairton running back/receiver Tyler Boyd might make a visit next weekend to Notre Dame for the Pitt-Notre Dame game.
First Published October 26, 2012 12:00 am
