2K Sports Preseason All-American Team: Ryan Harrow
Words. Jason Jordan
N.C. State Commit Says He’s in as Long as Sidney Lowe is His Coach.
Photo. NorthCarolinaStateScout.com
Ryan Harrow is a realist who doesn’t mind speaking candidly about the obvious flaw in his game.
“It’s my strength,” says Harrow. “Yeah… I’m really not strong at all.”
At 6-feet tall, Harrow, a point guard who hails from Walton High School in Marietta, Ga., tips the scale at just 148 pounds. Still, the beanpole factor hasn’t slowed his offensive arsenal, which has in turn caused his stock shoot up over the past few months.
Defensively it’s a different story. His size can, at times, make him a liability when bigger guards post him up, which is why Harrow has committed to lifting weights with the Walton football team all summer.
Harrow, a rising junior, chatted with HighSchoolHoop about everything from his size to why his commitment to North Carolina State is somewhat conditional to why he can’t wait to shop on his trip to France next week…
HighSchoolHoop: How did your high school team finish up last season?
Ryan Harrow: We lost in the second round of the state playoffs.
HSH: What were your averages?
RH: I averaged 28.6 points, six assists and three rebounds a game.
HSH: What was your toughest matchup?
RH: Probably Centennial High because they’ve got Lorenzo Brown.
HSH: Two N.C. State recruits going head up. Who won the matchup?
RH: They won by one point at the buzzer. It was crazy. He had 30 points and I had 31 points.
HSH: So neither one of you could check the other one, huh?
RH: (Laughs) I don’t know. I think we just both got into the zone and we just went off that game.
HSH: So you two are close?
RH: Yeah, I’ve known him since we were six years old.
HSH: Is that the main reason you picked State?
RH: Well, it was that and because I really like (head) coach (Sidney) Lowe. That’s the main reason.
HSH: So is the plan for Lorenzo to run the point for a year and for you to takeover the following year?
RH: Yeah that’s the plan. A lot of people talk about chemistry and we’ve been playing together so long… We’ll already know what the other is thinking.
HSH: Obviously, State has struggled recently and a big reason why is point guard play. Is there pressure for you to come in and instantly upgrade the position?
RH: Yeah definitely, but I just know that all I have to do is play my game and I’ll be able to please the fans there.
HSH: You chose State really early when people were sleeping on you, which is similar to what C.J. Leslie did.
RH: Right.
HSH: But once C.J. started to get more national attention, like you are now, he bolted on State. Should State fans be worried that they’ll get a repeat?
RH: Well, I’ll tell you like this… I’m coming to N.C. State as long as coach Lowe is there. Period. Now if he’s not there, I don’t know if I’ll be there.
HSH: That’s interesting because Lowe is somewhat on the proverbial hot seat. The rumors are always there.
RH: Yeah I know. I’ve heard the rumors about him possibly getting fired and everything like that. I mean if he’s there, I’m there, but if not I’ll probably look elsewhere. But I’m thinking with the class that they’re bringing in and my class coming after that it will be the players that State has been looking for. How could they let him go with those players? You know.
HSH: But even with a stellar class, the bottom line is all about winning games and beating arch rivals.
RH: That’s very true.
HSH: Lets switch gears. How have you and the Atlanta Celtics AAU squad been doing so far?
RH: We’ve been doing good. We get to the Final Four of every tournament we’re in and end up losing.
HSH: Your play so far this AAU season has people talking about you being as good as some of 2010’s top point guards like Kyrie Irving, Brandon Knight and Ray McCullam. Are you the top point guard in the class?
RH: I definitely think that I am. All those guys that you named are good, but the only thing they have on me is size. I do everything else just as good or better.
HSH: What are you doing about the size issue?
RH: I’m working out with the football team everyday.
HSH: What’s your bench press max?
RH: I got 145 (pounds).
HSH: That’s not bad.
RH: Yeah but these days guys are so strong, like Brandon Knight. I’ve just got to get stronger because playing against those top guards the thing that hurts me is that they’re all stronger. My goal is to be benching 175 pounds by the end of the summer.
HSH: You’re going to France to play in the World Basketball Tournament in Douai, France from June 8-15. Talk about that.
RH: It’s a real honor because I wasn’t originally picked for the team and they decided that I should be on the team based off what I’d done this spring and summer. It’s an honor. I’m real excited about going.
HSH: Have you competed against foreign players before?
RH: No, but I know when I watch them on TV they’re usually pretty big.
HSH: What do you hope to gain from the experience?
RH: I want to pick up more of the fundamentals they have over there and learn how to play against it. Because that’s the style that Duke and Wake Forest and a few other teams play in the ACC.
HSH: Other than basketball, what are you looking forward to with regards to the trip?
RH: Honestly, the shopping. I heard they had some real nice shopping places. I’m looking to get some Jordans! I just want to see how much different the atmosphere is over there compared to here. I’m excited about it.
Jason Jordan,
for the last time, Sid Lowe is NOT on the hot seat. Got it?
This kid is mad skinny yo, HIT THOSE WEIGHTS SON!!!
WITH MAD GAME YO!!! PLAYS LIKE HE’S 6′2 180!!!!!
Sidney Lowe absolutely is not on the hot seat. The media is the one starting this rumor. Ironically enough the coach who was on the hot seat, Herb Sendek, was basically ignored by the media.
Well, you’re right, it’s the media of course. But don’t forget to give the good folks over at statefansnation their due as well.
Why would you talk to a young man who’s commited to a head coach, about that coach being on “the hot seat”, and talk about how another commit “bolted”?
Why?
Brandon Knight is the #1 point guard. Point Blank and probably the #1 player but that could still be a debate….also Chris Denson (GA) Shaw High is another guard who’s stock is rising fast.His numbers are ridiculous. Check him out if u don’t believe.