Terrel Harris: From out of money to the NBA Finals

By Anthony Slater

Aslater@opubco.com

Follow on Twitter @anthonyVslater

Ten months ago, Terrel Harris was low on money and down on options.

The NBA wasn’t playing and pickup ball wasn’t paying.

Harris wasn’t done with basketball, but basketball seemed just about done with him.

“I just needed some money,” Harris said. “I was broke man. I didn’t have nothing else. Overseas wasn’t calling, the NBA lockout, I was like ‘Man, I need to finish school.’”

So Harris went back to school, showing up at Oklahoma State and walking directly into Travis Ford’s office.

“I was like, ‘Man, just let me finish school and be around basketball, and help coach, you know?’” Harris said. “And then when something comes up, I could just go, but that really didn’t work out well the way I wanted it to.”

Nope. It ended up working out a lot better.

After the lockout was lifted, Harris was given a longshot tryout with the Miami Heat.

A defensive-minded organization, Miami was impressed with Harris’ effort, with coach Erik Spoelstra continually referring to Harris as “a traditional Oklahoma State player.”

From there, you know the story.

He made the team, his team made the Finals and now Harris has a comfy courtside seat for one of the most compelling series in league history.