Published: June 24, 2009 11:44 pm      

BASKETBALL: With assist from Flynn, Harris looking to NBA Draft

NIAGARA FALLS — Of all the times Jonny Flynn set up Paul Harris on the court over the years, Harris holds the most gratitude for the latest assist off the floor.

Harris and Flynn arrived at Syracuse University a year apart, but with the same high hopes for stardom. They left college together in April. And the expectations for Flynn’s professional basketball career have soared past those for Harris.

Flynn entered the NBA draft pool and is a likely lottery pick.

Harris was surprised to learn Syracuse had put out a press release saying he would also turn pro. And he was just as surprised to learn several draft-themed Web sites didn’t deem Harris to be a draftable player.

From a large pool of interested agents, Flynn picked Leon Rose of Creative Artists Agency, who also represents LeBron James, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. Rose helped Flynn get to Chicago, where Tim Grover, Michael Jordan’s former trainer, refined his skills in preparation for pre-draft workouts.

And Flynn made sure his former Niagara Falls High School teammate came with him.

“I’m glad he gave me the opportunity to come down here and work out,” Harris said during his final week in Chicago. “It shows that this is more than basketball. This is brothers and family, forever. When I was younger, I had the juice. Now he’s got the juice and he’s using it to help both of us.

“It’s definitely not free to work out in Chicago. I didn’t know who was paying for it at first. And I found out it was him. It’s an honor and a blessing to know him.”

At Grover’s A.T.T.A.C.K. Athletics facility, Harris got to work on his guard skills, including a jump shot that was redesigned by Tim “The Target” Sullivan, a former Canisius player. Harris also got to practice the same drills NBA teams would later put him through in workouts. He went up against several prospects rated higher than him, as well as established NBA players.

“I think when I played big-name guys, it brought out the best in me,” Harris said.

Reports out of Chicago had Harris raising eyebrows in matchups with peers like Arizona’s Chase Budinger, Pittsburgh’s Sam Young, and Georgetown’s DaJuan Summers. He also held his own against Andre Iguodala, the Philadelphia 76ers swingman considered to be one of the most athletic players in the NBA.

Harris piqued more interest at a workout in New Jersey attended by 24 teams, and was flown in by Dallas, Cleveland and Utah for additional workouts.

“I’ve gotten good feedback,” Harris said. “Teams like my defense. In Dallas, they said they might pick me if they can get a second-round pick, and I didn’t even shoot well there.”

As has been apparent since he starred at NFHS, Harris has a professional-grade physique. He recently measured out at 6-foot-3 in shoes, with a freakish 6-foot-11 wingspan and an outstanding 37-foot standing leap. The Web site NBADraft.net hailed Harris as the fifth-strongest player in the draft, and the third-best defender.

Both Chad Ford of ESPN.com and Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com rate Harris as the No. 53 prospect in the draft. In Givony’s latest mock draft, Harris goes 51st overall to the San Antonio Spurs.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said he’s heard talk of Harris being a late first-round pick.

“I’ve got Paul as a second-round pick,” Bilas said Monday. “He’s basically a 6-4 power forward and he’s not a shooter. He’s a rebounder and he’s a guy who can get to the basket. I don’t think he’s a great ball-handler. But he’s a tenacious player who plays hard. I think he can find his place in the league.”

Harris might have been a first-round pick had he entered the draft out of high school, an option he said was never considered. Though he doesn’t express regrets about spending three years at Syracuse, Harris feels college basketball didn’t allow him to showcase all of his skills.

“I look at some of the guys (projected) to be in the late first round, and I think I can do a lot more on the court than them,” Harris said. “But even if I get picked with the last pick in the second round, I’m going to make the team and do well in the NBA.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.



NBA DRAFT

• WHEN: 7 p.m.

• WHERE: New York’s Madison Square Garden

• TV: ESPN

• NOTES: Niagara Falls’ Jonny Flynn is projected to go anywhere from No. 4 (Sacramento) to No. 10 (Milwaukee), although Flynn grew up a Knicks fan and he’d be a great fit at No. 8. ... Flynn’s teammate at Niagara Falls and Syracuse, Paul Harris, is thought to be a second-round pick.