Harris Returns To Vipers
January 8, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
MCALLEN, TEXAS - The NBA Development League Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced today that they have re-acquired forward Mike Harris (6-6, 240, Rice), who was waived by the NBA Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Harris saw action in two games for the Rockets following his GATORADE Call-Up from the Vipers on December 23, recording five points and three rebounds in 11 minutes of action.
"Unfortunately, with the return of Chase Budinger from injury and with the focus of maintaining flexibility with our 15th roster spot, we were forced to release Mike Harris from the Houston Rockets roster. Since Mike went unclaimed through NBA waivers, he will be returning to the NBA Development League and to the Vipers to continue leading our team with his productive play on the court and his presence in the locker room," said Vipers General Manager Gersson Rosas, who is also the Rockets Vice President of Player Personnel.
In ten games for the Vipers, Harris is averaging a team-best 25.3 points (third in the NBA Development League) to go with 7.1 rebounds per game. Harris scored at least 19 points in all ten games he played in, tying his career-high with 30 points on December 4 against the Tulsa 66ers, breaking it with 32 points on December 10 against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, and breaking it one more time with 35 points on December 19 in Tulsa. He also had 12 rebounds on December 19, his second of two double-doubles this season.
"We have something special developing with our coaches and players. By mixing in the addition of Will Conroy with the return of Mike Harris, there is a lot to look forward to. The imprint of the Houston Rockets is now firmly on this team, with four current and/or former Rockets making up its core. While the team is still in the process of coming together and developing chemistry, the strong start combined with everyone working together leads us to believe this group has the talent and potential to continue to have an exciting season for the Viper fans in the Rio Grande Valley," Rosas said.
Harris has already joined the Vipers and is expected to be in uniform for tomorrow's 7:00 p.m. against the team with the best record in the NBA Development League, the Iowa Energy (15-2), at Veteran's Memorial Hall in Des Moines, Iowa.
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