Harris ready for redemption

By Whitey Reid

Published: June 9, 2008

Will Harris never had any problems with his back. Not a single one.

Then one morning, just like that, he did.

Before the start of last season, Harris woke up and his back was killing him.

Harris’ 2007-08 campaign subsequently went up in smoke, with the Queens, N.Y., native reduced to spot duty. He had to watch as Virginia stumbled to a 17-16 season that culminated in a semifinal loss to Bradley in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

“It was sometimes frustrating,” said the always-effervescent Harris, “but I think my teammates and my coaches did a real good job of helping me get through it and keeping me positive.”

Now the rising junior is confident — er, hopeful — that his back woes are behind him. He’s continuing a vigorous rehabilitation — one that is aimed at strengthening his core — under the guidance of UVa strength and conditioning coach Shaun Brown, and has been cleared to return to all basketball-related activities.

“It feels 100 percent like 98 percent of the time,” Harris said. “Every once in a while I have a rough day, but most times it feels pretty good.

“I’m definitely not getting surgery. That’s definitely not going to happen … I’m starting to feel like I did before the injury every happened, so I don’t think it will be necessary.”

As a freshman, Harris showed signs of being able to contribute in a number of ways. He played in every game, which included three starts.

Just before last season began, Harris gave up his No. 1 jersey to incoming freshman Jeff Jones and started wearing No. 43.

The double digits never looked quite right on the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder — and the switch seemed to bring him nothing but bad karma.

“I think that [the new number] didn’t look right because people didn’t see me on the court enough,” said Harris, smiling. “You have to see it a lot to get used to it.”

Harris said he has no plans on trading No. 43 in.

“Nobody ever wears No. 43,” he said, “so I’m going to try and make it hot.”

Since Harris was hardly playing last season, there was a chance he could have applied for a medical redshirt to preserve a year of eligibility — just like big man Tunji Soroye is in the process of doing.

However, that option went out the window after appearing in 15 games.

“I’m not really bummed about it,” said Harris, who is heading into his junior season. “I just have to suck it up and make the most of this year that’s coming up.

“I try and not live with any regrets. I probably could have got a redshirt if I had asked for it, but I was hopeful it would [heal]. It just didn’t work out like that.”

Plus, Harris, who will turn 22 in August — he took a postgraduate year after high school — knows his biological clock is ticking.

“I’m an old man,” he joked. “There’s lots of mileage on this body. I’d be like 28 if I took a redshirt and I definitely wouldn’t want to do that.”

Harris was one of several Virginia frontcourt players with an achy back last season. Jamil Tucker, Ryan Pettinella and Soroye all missed time with back ailments.

Harris said he never worried that his career might be in jeopardy.

“I think I’m going to play basketball for the rest of my life,” he said. “I’ve never put that in my mind. I just try and stay positive and tell myself that everything’s going to be alright.”

Even though Harris couldn’t contribute on the court last season, he certainly did his part from the sidelines. During games, he was always one of the most vocal Cavaliers.

This season, Harris hopes to do his talking with his game — even though he’s not quite sure how he’s going to fit into Leitao’s rotation.

“I think we’re going to have a real deep team,” Harris said. “Lots of guys will be able to do lots of different things. Given the situation, I’m going to do whatever coach needs me to do because I feel like I’m versatile enough that I could do anything.

“I just like being on the court. I don’t care where I’m at. As long as I’m on the court, I’m happy.”