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Harris new, improved, happy

Oklahoma State senior Terrel Harris, who was suspended from the basketball team in April, spent his summer maturing and says he isn't "taking anything for granted" now. MICHAEL WYKE/Tulsa World
 
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 10/28/2008  2:04 AM
Last Modified: 10/28/2008  3:11 AM

 STILLWATER — Terrel Harris attended the final media day of his Oklahoma State basketball career wearing a yellow bracelet on his right wrist. The words inscribed on the bracelet said "Are you who you say you are?"

Harris said the bracelet was given to him by a girl after church Sunday, when the sermon was about practicing what you preach.

Is Harris who he says he is? He said he will let actions speak for him during a senior season that almost wasn't.

Harris was suspended for violating unspecified team rules in April. He said he basically was kicked off the team during the summer months.

But Harris worked his way out of the doghouse, and coach Travis Ford reinstated him before the start of preseason drills. Ford has raved about Harris since and has gone so far as to say he wishes he could redshirt his two senior leaders — Harris and Byron Eaton — so they could be around for another season.

"I am definitely a better person," Harris said. "I just became more mature, and being kicked off the team just really opened my eyes. I'm not taking anything for granted anymore. This whole scholarship and life, I was just taking it all for granted, like it will always be there for me when it really won't. It can be taken just like that."

One preseason earlier, Harris said he had a "breakdown" because he was disappointed in how his college career had gone.

He talked about wanting to become a new man. "I tried to, but I just didn't know how to do it," he said.

Maybe Harris had to hit bottom before bouncing back. He did not want to elaborate on why he was suspended.

"My situation is my situation," he said. "It's not for anybody to know. Our team business is between us."

But Harris was open to talking about how he spent his time in exile.

He said he went to Houston to "get away from Stillwater for a while and stay out of trouble."

He said he spent time with ex-NBA coach John Lucas, who specializes in helping troubled athletes, and worked out with college and professional players.

Meanwhile, Harris did all Ford requested and was welcomed back to campus.

"One of the things that impressed me about him when I did suspend him, it was his reaction," Ford said last week, adding that it was not a reaction of defiance.

"He was devastated. He was telling me, 'Coach, I love Oklahoma State. I would love to play for you.' He wasn't argumentative in any way. If he had been defiant and if he had been any other way or anything like that (he might not have come back). But I gave him a chance, and so far he has proven to me that he is totally committed to Oklahoma State and totally focused on making this a great senior year for him."

Eaton said he has not been surprised by the way Harris has handled himself.

"When he came back, he came back like a preacher," Eaton said. "He was always preaching to guys what to do, how to do it and telling guys what is not good for them. As a senior, you should always be able to tell freshman and sophomores that."



Jimmie Tramel 581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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snoop, (10/28/2008 4:00:26 PM)
Suspended from what??? Can't play with te team during the summer. Now that's punishment. Why not give a punishment with some teeth. Suspend him from a couple of games and require him to practice with the team.
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DanDDiver, Smyrna (10/28/2008 6:04:11 PM)
Snoop,

You don't even know what it was all about nor is your opinion on unknowledgeable discipline required.
You sound like a Gooner fan.
Put your big boy panties on and keep your mouth shut about things you know nothing about.
Report Comment
Rhymeister, Tulsa (10/28/2008 9:36:10 PM)
You could tell last season that Harris did not have his heart 100% into basketball. He was a highly recruited prospect four years ago and everyone said he has a lot of skills but in the games I watched I didn't see it and didn't think he should be starting and then he subsequently lost his starting position.

It sounds though that he's ready to take off. No reason why, with his physique, he cannot be outstanding, especially with his newfound focus. I wish the kid all the best and I think he will contribute a lot and help the Cowboys get back to being a good team. They need him to be.

Keep working hard, Terrel, believe in your skills and believe in yourself and your teammates.
 

 
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