Elijah Harkless

[kbsooner]

Its been a long time since I have been this enamored with a "role player", but this guy just flat make us better. Love his game, a lot of room for growth, but just makes winning plays... I have no idea how he ended up in Norman, but definitely glad he did.

 

[Darwin]

He can become a beast, a real star, perhaps with more defense than offense but time will tell.

 

[vbdad]

He has made the team much better. He does a great job defending and rebounding. He also keeps the ball moving on offense to where it needs to go. He hit 2 huge shots today which isn't his strong suit but he isn't afraid to shoot when it is necessary.
What he really does is add toughness to the team!

 

[skyvue]

I'm intrigued that they initially thought Harkless was redshirt material. He certainly doesn't seem to have needed a year to acclimate himself.

 

[sheepdogs1]

He has made the team much better. He does a great job defending and rebounding. He also keeps the ball moving on offense to where it needs to go. He hit 2 huge shots today which isn't his strong suit but he isn't afraid to shoot when it is necessary.
What he really does is add toughness to the team!

He also plays within himself and doesn't try to burden himself with too much. Helps minimize errors.

 

[pnkranger]

I'm intrigued that they initially thought Harkless was redshirt material. He certainly doesn't seem to have needed a year to acclimate himself.

I think he wanted to redshirt to work on his offensive game and take over the team after Reaves left. If he can develop a go to scoring option, he'll be deadly. Should pattern his development after Lu Dort. Similar glue guy...

 

[Price is Right]

Agreed. I love his game and intensity

 

[JBaker]

I think he wanted to redshirt to work on his offensive game and take over the team after Reaves left. If he can develop a go to scoring option, he'll be deadly. Should pattern his development after Lu Dort. Similar glue guy...

It’s nice that we potentially have 2 more seasons for him to develop without having to redshirt this season.

 

[BCSooners]

Love how he’s playing

 

[vbdad]

When KU finished the first half strong he was on the bench with foul trouble. He certainly is a positive on the court.

 

[thebigabd]

He's the MVP of the team this year... he's that "guy" who just wins you games. Not flashy on the stat sheet all the team.

 

[TINY]

He reminds me of Jevon Carter a bit. Would love to see him develop his offense like Carter did, too. Great team player.

 

[Eielson]

He's the MVP of the team this year... he's that "guy" who just wins you games. Not flashy on the stat sheet all the team.

I like what I'm seeing, but do we feel THAT strongly about him?

 

[scrybe]

I like what I'm seeing, but do we feel THAT strongly about him?

No. Love Harkless, but if the season ended today, Harmon is MVP.

 

[OULad]

Harmon has been great.

 

[thebigabd]

I like what I'm seeing, but do we feel THAT strongly about him?

He's the glue guy... makes the defensive play, gets the steal, hits the 3, takes the charge, makes the assist, etc... You can't win close games without him.

You are free to choose your own MVP, but to me, its Harkless.

 

[MsProudSooner]

Harkless has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

https://soonersports.com/news/2021/1/25/mens-basketball-harkless-named-big-12-newcomer-of-the-week.aspx

 

[skyvue]

I'm not sure this team has an MVP, which is fine by me -- I love that everyone contributes -- but if I had to choose, I'd go with Reaves. He leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assists and hasn't yet had a game in which he disappeared. Only twice has he not finished with double-digits in points -- he scored eight points each against UTSA and KSU, but he had a combined 12 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals in those two games.

 

[scrybe]

I'm not sure this team has an MVP, which is fine by me -- I love that everyone contributes -- but if I had to choose, I'd go with Reaves. He leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assists and hasn't yet had a game in which he disappeared. Only twice has he not finished with double-digits in points -- he scored eight points each against UTSA and KSU, but he had a combined 12 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals in those two games.

Good points, all.

 

[AdaSooner]

Harkless has been named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week.

https://soonersports.com/news/2021/1/25/mens-basketball-harkless-named-big-12-newcomer-of-the-week.aspx

Thanks for posting this article, MsP!

When Xavier beat us handily in early December, the kind of defense to produce the stat I highlighted below seemed to be so far away, it was nothing more than a dream. That was then, this is now.

During that four-game stretch, the Sooners are winning the turnover battle 63 to 32 while holding opponents to 41.1% shooting (27.6% from 3).

Harkless has been the catalyst in what some, including me, has called the best defense we have seen in years. But, the defense that produced a 3-1 record during this four game stretch was a total team effort—something I would have bet a lot of money after the loss in early December we would never see.

Sure glad to admit how wrong I would have been, and how proud I am of this team right now!