Transfer student a ‘great resource’ for Flames

Jay Harris averaged 10.3 points per game for Wagner last season. He joins UIC in the fall for his final season.

Jay Harris, a fifth-year transfer student from Wagner, joins the men’s basketball team this fall as he attends graduate school at UIC for his final collegiate season.

The Aurora native averaged 10.3 points per game for the Seahawks last season and shot nearly 39 percent from three-point range.

“Jay will add tremendous experience to our program,” head coach Howard Moore said.

“He has played and excelled in several high-pressure games throughout his career and he will serve as a great resource to our underclassmen and newcomers.

“He’s a fantastic shooter and the ultimate competitor.”

Harris scored in double figures on 13 occasions during the 2013-14 season, including a career-high 23 points against Lafayette on seven three-pointers.  The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 2.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds last year and shot almost 90 percent from the free throw line.

Harris began his collegiate career  at Valparaiso, where he helped the Crusaders post back-to-back, 20-plus win seasons and a conference regular season title in 2011-12. He scored 458 points and played in 66 games at Valpo, averaging nine points per contest during his sophomore season.

Coming out of Oswego East High School in 2010, Harris was the No. 22-rated point guard in the nation, according to ESPN/Scouts Inc. He earned first team All-State honors from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

UIC has six newcomers for the 2014-15 season.

Harris joins three other transfers: point guard D’Juan Miller (Eastern Arizona College), center Kaylen Shane (John A. Logan College) and forward Jason McClellan (Eastern Wyoming College).

UIC  welcomes two  freshmen: center Tai Odiase (Flossmoor/Homewood-Flossmoor) and forward David Ramon (Madrid, Spain/Virgen de Atocha).