A Highlight-Reel Start For Harris

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State guard Claudell Harris Jr. made an immediate impact in his Bulldog debut Monday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

Harris recorded 20 points, three assists, two steals and one rebound in State's 95-60 victory over West Georgia in the season opener. After Harris splashed his sixth three-pointer of the contest, the electric crowd at The Hump erupted.

Hearing the sweet sounds of the MSU fight song and seeing the Maroon and White pom-poms waving vigorously in the air was a welcome party that Harris will never forget.

"It was a great experience. The fans came out [and] supported and we had a great student section," Harris said. "They [helped] really set the tone for us [and] gave us a confidence boost. That's why I was able to come out, come off the bench and trust [my] work."

While Harris got his first experience playing in front of the incredible environment at The Hump, the fans in attendance were treated with a first-class ticket to the splash show.

Harris helped the Bulldogs open the floodgates to end the first half when he nailed three consecutive three-pointers to get everyone in The Hump on their feet.

"It's just what I work on," Harris Jr. said. "[It's] my craft and it's a blessing to have teammates around me that trust me. [They] trust me to hit shots [and] trust me to make the right plays, and the coaching staff trusts me. It's a blessing all around."

Alongside sophomore Josh Hubbard, MSU's talented guard duo shot 17 of 24 from the field for 46 points in the contest.

The opportunity to perform on the highest level with talent like Hubbard and to develop as a player under head coach Chris Jans played an integral role in Harris' decision to transfer to State from Boston College in the offseason.

"I came here to learn how to be a winner and I knew I could do that under Chris Jans," Harris said. "Josh and I have a great relationship on and off the court. We talked to each other the whole game. Nights like this when he's hitting [shots] and I'm hot, it's hard to stop."

Whether he shot from the corner or pulled up from 22 feet, Harris wasted no time sending a three spiraling through the air and swishing through the net.

"He had a great night," head coach Chris Jans said. "He can really get it going, he gets it off quick, he's got a beautiful stroke, and he's got a lot of confidence."

Harris' athleticism and ability to spread the floor in the win were undeniable. Along with an excellent jumper, Harris has a knack for picking up steals and transitioning down the court to find his open teammates.

For Harris though, this game was just the start of his State journey. Offensively, defensively and across the board, Harris is driven to just keep getting better for the Bulldogs.

"We always strive for more and more," Harris said.

Mississippi State University Athletics

A Highlight-Reel Start For Harris

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