Harris Sees Dream Realized At State
March 17, 2025 | Men's Basketball, Joel Coleman
In his final year of college hoops, Claudell Harris Jr. is finally headed to the big dance.
STARKVILLE – When Claudell Harris Jr. was deciding where to spend his final season of college basketball, the biggest factor in his choice was picking a place where he could dance.
He didn't literally want to cut a rug – although Harris does fancy himself as a music connoisseur and used to play the piano. No, Harris was driven to land at a destination where he could finally, at long last, be a part of March Madness.
Harris missed out on the NCAA Tournament over the last three years, playing a couple of campaigns at Charleston Southern before a season at Boston College. But on Sunday, Harris sat with his Mississippi State teammates at The Landing in Starkville and at long last, received the invitation he was after when he hitched his wagon with the Bulldogs.
"It feels great," Harris said moments after MSU learned it's an eighth-seeded team that'll face Baylor on Friday. "First time being [in this spot]. I've never played this long…It's a blessing.
"[Getting in the NCAA Tournament] was the biggest factor [in me coming to State]. Coming here, learning how to be a winner [and] learning to sacrifice myself for the benefit of a team – that was the whole key in coming here. Looking back on it, I'd make the same decision 10 out of 10 times again."
There was no hiding the happiness on Harris' face Sunday. It was absolutely a dream-come-true moment for the Hahnville, Louisiana, native.
And the celebratory evening happened, in part, because of what Harris brought to this year's State squad. He's the team's third-leading scorer at 9.5 points per game and has the second-most 3-pointers with 66 of them.
That's the part folks can see. However, Harris' teammates insist what's been just as valuable is what Harris has brought behind closed doors.
"Not only is he a Dawg on the court, but what people don't know is what happens off the court," KeShawn Murphy said. "He's a great friend. He's a great person. He's going to bring it every day. He's going to bring the best out of everybody."
Murphy beams about Harris' ability to uplift others. Some of that can likely be traced to Harris' personal life experiences – one in particular.
Harris' mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on two different occasions. She beat it both times.
For Harris, it was all incredibly inspiring and provided the right perspective on any hard times that may happen on the hardwood.
"Growing up, I saw [my mother] in the hospital bed," Harris recalled. "At first, I didn't really understand it, but as I get older and see other people's struggles, I start to realize the struggles she went through and how hard it was for her. It pushes me. It gives me motivation that whatever my issues are, it's not the worst it could be."
Perhaps that's one reason why earlier this year, after starting 14 consecutive games, Harris was able to so quickly adapt back to a bench role for the Bulldogs. What could've been viewed negatively was instead turned into an opportunity by Harris to better help his team for the critical stretch run.
"He handled it well [like it was] nothing," Jans said of how Harris responded to the switch. "He was like, 'Whatever we've got to do, Coach.' You know, he's about winning."
He's a winning player. He's a winning person. Now, he's a part of a winning team. Or better yet, a winning family.
Harris felt that when he inked with the Bulldogs. He knew there was something special about this group of guys.
"The first time I stepped on campus, I saw the culture," Harris said. "I saw how the guys talked about the culture here. I just knew it was a recipe for winning. I was excited to be a part of that.
"[These guys] are tough-minded. They're tough physically and emotionally. It's a brotherhood with each other through thick and thin, good and bad."
The tight bonds built yet another Bulldog path to the biggest stage in college basketball. For three years in a row now, MSU has put Maroon in March.
And this time, the Dawgs will have Harris with them, ready to dance like he's never danced before. Because he hasn't. Until Friday.
"All of the hard work has come to life," Harris said.