Ricky Harris is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Baltimore, Maryland that last season played for the s.Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 35 games: 9.8ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 67.0%. He scored in double figures 16 times and best point total was 25 against the LTi Giessen 46ers. He played at  Massachusetts (NCAA) from 2006-2010 playing a total of 129 NCAA games and in hiss enior year palyed  31 games: 19.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 72.9%. In 2010-2011, he started his basketball career with BC Siauliai (Lithuania-LKL): Lithuanian League: 8 games: 7.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 40.6%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 61.5%; EuroCup: 5 games: 12.6ppg, 1.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 47.6%; Baltic League: 14 games: 10.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 37.2%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 66.2%, in Jan.’11 moved to Ferro-ZNTU Zaporozhye (Ukraine-Superleague): 29 games: 9.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 39.6%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 67.4%, then moved to B-Meg Llamados (Philippines-PBA). At Massachusetts (NCAA), he played together with ex Bonn player Tony Gaffney for two seasons and the American only has fond memories of his ex teammate. “Ricky became one of my brothers while playing together at UMASS. He was always a great teammate and very hard worker. He is one of the more potent scorers I’ve ever played with, and while playing under a coach that is not going to put a leash on him, he could really flourish into a prominent European player. Always been a lot of fun to be around, and wants to do anything to help his team and teammates succeed and as a basketball player, those are the kinds of teammates that make seasons so enjoyable, people like slick rick”, stressed Tony Gaffney. Harris spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Ricky where are you presently and how has your summer been? What was the coolist activity that you were able to do this summer?

I am currently in my hometown Baltimore Maryland, my summer has been great and all but it’s time to get back to work and I am very eager and excited to see where I will end up

September is quietly rolling around and basketball teams in Europe in general are getting their rosters in order. How surprised are you that you are still currently unsigned for the coming season

I am a bit surprised because I think that I have had 2 very good seasons this past one being my second season, I have played on a Eurocup team my first year and I have also been a part of two final four team of their respective leagues. I know that the market has been a bit slow this season but I’m just waiting on my call it will come soon I hope.

Last season, you had a pretty solid season in the German Beko BBL for the s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg playing 35 games: 9.8ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 45.6%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 67.0%. You got an offer, but the pay was low. Are you a bit disappointed that the club didn´t want you more?

The club wanted me back and I wanted to go back there, but we had trouble reaching an agreement and they went in another direction, that is part of the business though. I do miss them guys a lot and hopefully one day I will wear that jersey again in the future. They are a very good group of guys and the staff there now is amazing. I wish them nothing but the best this upcoming season and in years to come

The club got a superb shooting guard Jimmy Mckinney and experienced Lamont Mcintosh. Do you think that new coach Marcel Schroeder wants to go in a new direction at that position?

Marcel told me that it was mine he wanted me back. We just had a hard time finalizing a deal that both parties agreed on. Jimmy Mckinney is a very good player and I wish him well in Wurzburg, I have never seen Lamont Mccintosh play but I’m sure he will be a great asset to the team, Marcel is a great guy and I learned a lot from him this past season. He is going to be one of the best head coaches in Germany and wherever he coaches, he knows how to get the best out of his players in a good way.

In the last 12 games, you were only able to score in double figures one time in the last game of the season in Ulm. Did John Patrick lose confidence in your play?

I’m not sure if he lost confidence, but I do know what I am capable of and what I would have been able to do had I been given the the opportunity. Coach Patrick has been a winner in the Beko BBL for a long time now, and I do not question him or his decisions. I know that coach Patrick knows what type of player I am and what I can bring to a team. I wish him well in his future and upcoming opportunities.

What is a strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away on the court?

I can do a lot of thing on the court penetrate pass shoot and rebound. This past season I was just labeled as a shooter but there is a lot more to my game than just shooting. I am a competitor that wants to win.

If you could sell yourself best, why would a top level team in Europe want to hire Ricky Harris?

I am a winner, a great team guy, great person on and off the court, I’m responsible and able to except my faults but most importantly willing to learn from them, I am a student of the game eager to learn more.

If you had the choice would you still like to play in the Beko BBL and why?

I would love to play in the Beko BBL. Germany in itself is a great place to play and live, the fan support is amazing whether you are at the top of the league, or in the bottom of the league you still have the support of your fans. If another German Beko BBL offer presents itself I’m sure me and my agent would be very eager and excited to work with that club.

Who was the toughest player that you had to match up against last season in the Beko BBL?

There are many good players in the German league to many to name, but if I had to say the toughest players, I would have to say practicing against my teammates everyday. John Little, Ben Jacobsen, Chester Fraizer, Chris Kramer, we went after each other so hard in practice that when it was game time it was easy to go out and play other teams toughest guys.

How does a summer work out plan look like for Ricky Harris? What do you do in the Am and PM to keep in shape and your basketball in shape?

In the morning I go to the YMCA to lift weights, at night I go to Towson University and work out on my basketball skill and conditioning

German talent Maximilan Kleber has been injured here and there the last years, but still has a lot of potential. You saw him in practice daily. How do you see his development and where will he be in 5 years?

Maxi is going to be in the NBA. He has the talent, athletic ability and skill set to be a NBA player. He is something to watch in the near future.

Who wins in their prime, the Dream team or Team USA 2012?

The Dream team would win.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The Hunger Games

Thanks Ricky for the chat.