2011 NBA Draft Prospect Profile-Tennessee Forward Tobias Harris

2011 NBA Draft Prospect Profile-Tennessee SF Tobias Harris



Vital Stats


Height: 6’8”
Weight: 228 lbs.


Class: Freshman


Birthdate: 7/15/92



Tobias Harris was highly recruited coming out of high school, and was solid in his only season at Tennessee, averaging 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He was at his best late in the season, averaging 21.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in five March games with three 20-plus point games in that span. In the Volunteers’ embarrassing loss to Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Harris had 19 points and five rebounds. That loss ultimately led to the exit of coach Bruce Pearl, and Harris opted to enter the NBA Draft despite a budding relationship with new head coach Cuonzo Martin.

Harris is considered a versatile “jack of all trades” that may be able to play both forward spots, but lacks certain things that may hinder him at either spot. His lack of size makes him ill-suited to play power forward at the next level right now, while a lack of foot speed and athleticism may prevent him from being effective as a small forward on both ends of the floor. He will almost certainly need improve his outside shooting (30.3 percent on three-pointers last season) to be successful offensively as a small forward if that is his ultimate position.

Despite his shortcomings Harris was consistent as a freshman, scoring in double digits in all but three games. He also seems to have a high basketball IQ and is considered a gym rat that will work on the areas of his game he needs to improve. It’s also possible he will fill out physically, as he will not even turn 19 until July, and be able to better hold up as a power forward in the NBA somewhere down the road.

Harris is widely projected to be a first round pick, and a recent mock at Draft Express.com has him projected as the 20th overall pick in to the Timberwolves. The team currently has a cluster of players that play his position, so an immediate fit is not obvious, but a trade or two could open up a spot for him leading up to draft day. A lot also depends on what Minnesota does with the #2 overall pick, as to include trading the pick, and what their perceived roster needs are later in the first round.