The worst-kept secret in college basketball right now is Howard University freshman Blake Harper is very much in demand.
After the Bison’s 91-90 loss to Morgan State in the opening round of the MEAC men’s basketball tournament, Harper was reflective about the season and potentially, his future.
“Howard’s given me the opportunity to showcase who I am as a person and as a basketball player,” the conference player of the year and rookie of the year said in Thursday night’s post-game press conference. “Coach KB was the first one to believe in me. Gave me an offer right to my face and I took it.”
Harper, a 6-foot-8 guard from Washington, D.C., swept the major MEAC awards this season, averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He scored double figures in 30 of 32 games and had five games of 30 points or more.
Harper was proud of the effort he and the Bison put in after losing pre-season player of the year Bryce Harris with a foot injury early in the season.
“From the coaches to the players, it’s a special group that people on the outside don’t get to see,” he said. “A lot of hard work and sacrifices were made. No one believed in us when our preseason player of the year went down. We set the standard; we broke barriers.”
Harper was the subject of a Sports Illustrated feature as to whether Howard could keep Harper following his phenomenal freshman campaign. Harper spoke of how he grew as a player and as a person.
“Being a towel boy and finishing a team captain, it’s been a legendary ride and I’ll never forget it for sure,” he said. “I’ll never forget these guys; this is the most fun team I’ve ever been on. Being able to recap the season in my mind with the memories, the road trips…I’m just so proud of my guys, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
