The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Herb Harrison Signs NLI To Continue Hoops Career At UAB
4/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 15, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB men's basketball head coach Mike Davis announced the addition of Herb Harrison, a 6-8, 215-pound forward, who signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) on Friday and will continue his career with the Blazers.
Harrison joins Kenneth "K.C." Whitaker, who signed an NLI during the early signing period last November, as the newest additions to the men's basketball program.
"We are very excited about the addition of Herb to our basketball program," UAB head coach Mike Davis said. "He is a big body and can score the ball around the basket, as well as step outside and hit jump shots. I see him as a post player who can come in and help us right away."
"I feel great, it's like a dream come true," Harrison said. "I am happy the process is over, so now I can focus on what I need to do to contribute right away. Coach Davis is a great coach and coach (Donnie) Marsh is a great assistant coach. I like how they made me feel like part of the family.
"I see myself as an all around player," Harrison said. "I can score, rebound and play defense. I know defense comes first and that's what I want to focus on. I just want to play hard and find my place as I go. Wherever they need me, I want to be able to contribute and help the team win."
Harrison comes to UAB after playing two seasons under head coach Fredrick Anderson at Covenant Christian Ministries Academy (CCMA), which is a prep school located in Marietta, Ga. This past season, Harrison helped CCMA to a record of 21-11 and the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) national championship. Harrison, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, averaged 23.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest last season, while also earning a pair of all-tournament accolades through the course of the year.
Harrison was impressive during his first season at CCMA in 2009-10, recording 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. He also excelled off the court, earning a spot on the school's honor roll both seasons at CCMA.
Prior to coming to CCMA, Harrison played under head coach Curtis Gilleylan at Druid Hills High School in Atlanta, Ga. As a junior, Harrison ranked 20th in DeKalb County in rebounding (6.1 rpg) and was 23rd in the county in field goal percentage (.520).
Harrison also had interest from Mercer, Western Kentucky, Marshall and Stetson, among others.
Harrison joins Whitaker, a 6-5, 185-pound guard, who signed with UAB during the early signing period last November. Whitaker has had an outstanding 2011 season at Fishburne (Va.) Academy and is rated as high as No. 51 among fifth-year high school players according to Hoopscoop.com. This past year, Whitaker averaged 15.2 points and 4.0 assists per game. He shot a staggering 59-percent from beyond the arc and also connected on 91-percent from the charity stripe.
"K.C. is going to be a great player at UAB, and we are happy we signed him during the early signing period," Davis said last November. "He can do a lot of different things on the court. He is an excellent shooter and rebounder and has a high basketball IQ. I think K.C. will be able to step in and make a smooth transition to the college game. We are excited he has decided to continue his career at UAB."
Prior to attending Fishburne, Whitaker played three seasons under head coach Rico Reed at Flint Hill (Va.) High School where he was a two-time all-conference player (2007-08 and 2008-09). During his junior season at Flint, Whitaker averaged 14.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. He was also rated by CapitolHoops.com as the 70th-best player in the states of Maryland and Virginia in 2009.
Whitaker began his senior season (2009-10) on a lot of college radars but suffered an arm injury eight games in to his campaign.
After graduating high school, Whitaker chose to go to a post-graduate school and enrolled at Fishburne (Va.) Academy, which is the same school that produced UAB rising sophomore Quincy Taylor.
