4-star point guard Blake Harris chooses Missouri over Michigan State, others

Two months ago, Michael Porter Jr. and Blake Harris were signed up to play college basketball together. When basketball's second signing period opens up in a few days, they likely will be again. A few weeks after receiving a release from his letter of intent to Washington, Harris has committed to play alongside Porter at Missouri.

Harris, a 6'2, 170-pound point guard from Raleigh, visited Columbia this past weekend alongside Tampa blue-chipper Kevin Knox II. Porter had been campaigning for Harris to join him at Mizzou, and new Tiger head coach Cuonzo Martin sealed the deal.

The 247Sports Composite rates Harris as a four-star recruit and the No. 124 prospect in the 2017 recruiting class. NC State and Michigan State had emerged as Missouri’s primary competition for Harris, along with Rutgers and UConn. The Spartans appeared to be in good position before Harris’ Columbia visit turned the tables.

Harris’ commitment is an important one. Recent transfers mean that juniors Terrence Phillips, Jordan Geist, and Cullen VanLeer are the only returning scholarship guards on the Mizzou roster. Four-star Texas product C.J. Roberts has signed on, and Porter and Jordan Barnett are also comfortable on the wing, but Mizzou needed more options, and Harris is a good one.

Harris is a pure facilitator with excellent vision and the ability to score when asked. He should provide immediate help in 2017-18 and could form an excellent tandem with Roberts in future years. WELCOME, BLAKE.