Harris played for the Tennessee Volunteers as a freshman in 2010–11 for coach Bruce Pearl. He played the point forward position, a mix between forward and point guard, in Pearl's offense. A USBWA Freshman All-America second-team selection and one of the nation's most consistent and versatile performers, Harris also was named second-team All-SEC by the league's head coaches and earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. He ranked fifth among all freshmen in the six major conferences with 15.3 points per game. In addition, his 7.3 rebounds per game ranked sixth among all major-conference freshmen.[1]
On May 9, 2011, Harris declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.[2]
Professional career
Milwaukee Bucks (2011–2013)
On June 23, 2011, Harris was selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. He was later traded to the Milwaukee Bucks on draft night.[3] On December 10, 2011, he signed his rookie-scale contract with the Bucks.[4] Harris made his NBA debut on January 7, 2012, against the Los Angeles Clippers before tallying a team-high 15 points a night later against the Phoenix Suns on January 8. He appeared in 42 games during his rookie season (nine starts), averaging 5.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 11.4 minutes per game.
On October 24, 2012, the Bucks exercised their third-year team option on Harris's rookie-scale contract, extending the contract through the 2013–14 season.[5]
Orlando Magic (2013–2016)
Harris in December 2013
On February 21, 2013, Harris was traded, along with Doron Lamb and Beno Udrih, to the Orlando Magic in exchange for JJ Redick, Gustavo Ayón and Ish Smith.[6] Harris's playing time saw a notable increase in Orlando, and his stats followed suit. Harris more than tripled his points per game average, and more than quadrupled his rebounds, assists and blocks per game.
On October 26, 2013, the Magic exercised their fourth-year team option on Harris's rookie-scale contract, extending the contract through the 2014–15 season.[7]
On January 24, 2014, Harris recorded 28 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 114–105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[8] On February 7, 2014, Harris scored a game-winning dunk at the buzzer against Oklahoma City in what has been called one of the most exciting finishes in Orlando Magic history.[9] On March 2, 2014, he scored a career-high 31 points in a 92–81 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[10]
On February 6, 2015, Harris set a new career high with 34 points in a 103–97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[11]
On July 14, 2015, Harris re-signed with the Magic to a four-year, $64 million contract.[12][13]
Detroit Pistons (2016–2018)
Harris in October 2017
On February 16, 2016, Harris was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Ersan İlyasova and Brandon Jennings.[14][15] He made his debut for the Pistons three days later, scoring 21 points off the bench in a 98–86 loss to the Washington Wizards.[16][17] The Pistons finished the regular season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 44–38 record, earning a playoff berth for the first time since 2009. However, in their first-round series against the first-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pistons were swept 4–0.
On December 23, 2016, Harris came off the bench for the first time in 2016–17 and subsequently scored a season-high 26 points in a 119–113 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[18] On March 11, 2017, he set a new season high with 28 points in a 112–92 win over the New York Knicks.[19]
On October 25, 2017, Harris matched a career high with 34 points in a 122–101 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[20] On November 13, 2017, he was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday November 6 to Sunday November 12.[21] On December 26, 2017, he scored 21 of his 30 points in the first quarter of the Pistons' 107–83 win over the Indiana Pacers.[22]
On November 15, 2018, Harris scored 18 points in a 116–111 win over the San Antonio Spurs, thus scoring at least 15 points in a career-best 14 straight games.[27] On November 25, he had 34 points and 11 rebounds in a 104–100 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[28] He was subsequently named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, November 19, through Sunday, November 25. It was his second career Player of the Week award.[29] He also earned Western Conference Player of the Month for October and November, the first career Player of the Month honor of his career.[30] On December 17, he scored a career-high 39 points in a 131–127 loss to the Trail Blazers.[31] On January 20, he had 27 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a 103–95 win over the Spurs.[32]
On January 4, 2021, Harris was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.[36] On January 6, Harris scored his 10,000th career point in a game against the Washington Wizards. On January 27, 2021, Harris hit a game-winning pull-up jump shot with 3.7 seconds left to help the 76ers hold off a comeback by the Los Angeles Lakers in a 107–106 victory.[37]
On April 16, 2022, during Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs, Harris logged 26 points and six assists in a 131–111 win over the Toronto Raptors.[38]
On May 2, 2024, during the crucial Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs, Harris went scoreless as the Knicks eliminated the 76ers 118–115. Harris averaged 9.0 PPG in the series.[39]
Return to Detroit (2024–present)
On July 8, 2024, Harris signed a two-year, $52 million contract to return to the Detroit Pistons.[40][41]
Harris is close friends with former NBA center Boban Marjanović, who was his teammate in Detroit, Los Angeles and Philadelphia from 2016 to 2019.[47] Harris wears number 12 as a tribute to his close friend and former teammate Morgan Childs, who died at age 17 from leukemia.[48]
Harris married his long-time girlfriend, Jasmine Winton, in 2022.[49][50]
Philanthropy
Harris was the recipient of the 2016 and 2021 NBA Community Service Award. He created the "Tobias Harris School of Mentoring Program" and partnered with the Yes We Can Community Center and UAS Inc to help athletes and their parents with the recruiting and scholarship process. Harris also donated $10,000 to "Feeding Children Everywhere", a social charity that helps prepare food for hungry children.[51]
Harris launched the Tobias Lit Labs campaign which brings books and authors to families and schools. He also partnered with Read by 4th to have a block party in North Philadelphia. Harris contributed more than $2 million through his Tobias Harris Charitable Fund, which provides classroom supplies and supports professional development for educators and students. He has donated $10,000 to the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation to provide grants for scholarships, community projects and after-school programs.[52]
Spirituality
Harris identifies as a Christian and discusses his faith in public often.[53] In 2015 in an interview with "Razz and Jazz Sports", Tobias stated, "Any person I meet, I try to embrace them and show them love so that they know I'm a Christian, Jesus Christ was a loving man. And as Christians, we have to try to model our lives after Jesus Christ". Harris donated another $1 million to nine different charities to the Philadelphia area.[54]
Endorsements
Harris has many off-court endorsements including Nike, Off-White Damari Savile, Ovadia & Sons, and more.
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