Quick Facts
Biography
Michael Harris (born 5 October 1999) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). He is also contracted with the Warwick Senators of the NBL1 West.
Playing career
Forestville Eagles and Adelaide 36ers (2017–2021)
Harris debuted in the South Australian Premier League in 2017 with the Forestville Eagles. In 16 games, he averaged 3.06 points, 1.81 rebounds and 1.19 assists per game. He increased his averages to 16.55 points and 3.86 rebounds in 22 games in 2018, where during the season he had a 52-point game. He subsequently joined the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League (NBL) as a training player for the 2018–19 season.
In 2019, Harris helped the Eagles reach the Premier League grand final, where they defeated the Mount Gambier Pioneers 107–90 to win the championship. He was named grand final MVP after scoring a game-high 30 points. In 24 games, he averaged 18.96 points, 4.62 rebounds and 2.21 assists per game. He was subsequently named the recipient of the Frank Angove Medal as the Premier League's Under 21 Player of the Year.
Harris returned to the 36ers as a development player for the 2019–20 NBL season. He played in two games during the season.
In 2021, Harris returned to the Eagles for the inaugural NBL1 Central season. In 20 games, he averaged 22.9 points, 7.25 rebounds and 4.95 assists per game. He was subsequently named the recipient of the Frank Angove Medal once again, this time as the NBL1 Central's Under 23 Player of the Year. He was also named in league's All-Star Five.
Mount Gambier Pioneers (2022)
In October 2021, Harris signed with the Mount Gambier Pioneers for the 2022 NBL1 South season. He helped the Pioneers reach the grand final, where they lost 78–62 to the Hobart Chargers with Harris scoring 13 points. In 24 games, he averaged 23.83 points, 6.54 rebounds and 2.88 assists per game. He was subsequently named to the NBL1 South All-Star Five.
Perth Wildcats, Otago Nuggets and Warwick Senators (2022–present)
On 11 August 2022, Harris signed with the Perth Wildcats as a development player for the 2022–23 NBL season. He impressed coach John Rillie in his first season and soon moved up the playing rotation as he overtook fully rostered teammates, coming off the bench as an impact player to shoot at 42 per cent from three-point range. On 20 December, he recorded season highs of 17 points and five rebounds in a 105–83 win over the Cairns Taipans. In 17 games, he averaged 3.53 points and 1.71 rebounds per game. For the season, he was named the Wildcats' most improved player.
Following the NBL season, Harris joined the Otago Nuggets for the 2023 New Zealand NBL season. In 19 games, he averaged 22.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
On 7 April 2023, Harris re-signed with the Wildcats on a two-year deal, the first year as a development player and the second year as a fully rostered player. He received a role change for the 2023–24 NBL season, becoming one of coach John Rillie's go-to defenders. While his average minutes rose, his shooting diminished.
Harris is set to join the Warwick Senators of the NBL1 West for the 2024 season.
