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Former Eagle Harris Inks Contract in Ukraine

MSU Athletics

Former Morehead State men's basketball forward Lamontray Harris has taken the next step in his professional endeavors, signing a contract with BC Zaporizhya in Ukraine.

The hoops club, based in the city with the same name, fields its competition in the country's first-tier league, the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. By adding Harris, BC Zaporizhya looks to get back to their title-winning ways, having previously won two championships (most recently in 2013).

A native of Louisville, Ky., Harris ventures to Eastern Europe after his career in blue & gold. Harris graduated from Morehead State University in May 2019 with his Bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications. Harris finished his time at MSU with 1,084 points, ranking 27th on the all-time school scoring list, tied alongside current Eagle senior Jordan Walker. The Derby City product also ranks 16th in career rebounding (618) and 14th in blocked shots (52).

Harris displayed his savvy as a scorer, logging double-figures in 28 of 33 contests in 2018-19, eclipsing his senior season average (13.6) in 15 games. Harris tabbed his career high in scoring as a sophomore during the 2016-17 campaign, posting 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting (2-of-4 from behind the arc) during a regular season tilt at Eastern Washington on Dec. 13, 2016. This tilt also included a 10-0 run that was single-handedly mounted by Harris late in the second half.

Rebounding has been a calling card of Eagle basketball in recent years, and Harris proved his worth on that front, snagging a career-high 16 rebounds on Feb. 9, 2019 versus Belmont at Johnson Arena. He surpassed double digits on bounce-backs on 19 occasions in his four years at MSU. Additionally, he notched six double-doubles on the 2018-19 slate, including four straight games from January 11-20.

As a freshman, Harris' contributions to the 2015-16 Eagles helped highlight a unit that was third in scoring defense (69.0 points per game), first in scoring margin (+4.6), third in field goal percentage defense (.438), first in all stats pertaining to rebounds (offensive rebounds per game, defensive rebounds per game, rebounding offense and defense), third in assists per game (14.4), first in steals per game (8.2) and first in turnover margin (+2.3).

The 2015-16 Eagles finished with a 23-14 overall record, an 11-5 mark in the Ohio Valley Conference, and a runner-up finish in the College Basketball Invitational Tournament. The 23 wins sets the bar for fourth-most wins in school history.

Harris is now one of 21 former Eagle men's basketball players to have played professionally since 2011: himself, Kenneth Faried (Houston Rockets), Demonte Harper (Sidings AV, Italy), Chad Posthumus (Saskatchewan Rattlers, Canada), Kareem Storey (Medias, Romania), Angelo Warner (Sopron KC, Hungary), Karam Mashour (Bnei Hertzeliya, Israel), Anthony Elechi (Surrey Scorchers, United Kingdom), Lyonell Gaines (Obregon, Mexico), Brent Arrington (St. John Riptide, Canada), Corban Collins (BC Lulea, Sweden), Miguel Dicent (Bameso, Dominican Republic), Dejuan Marrero (Ponce, Puerto Rico), Xavier Moon (Edmonton Stingers, Canada), Ty'Quan Bitting (KB Rahoveci, Kosovo), Treshaad Williams (South Adelaide, Australia), Billy Reader (Leicester, United Kingdom), Luka Pajkovic (Olimpic, Romania), Devon Atkinson (Lakeside Lightning, Australia), Milton Chavis (Kordell Steelers, Luxembourg), and Sam Goodman (Atlanta Aliens).

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