Former Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Harris has been reinstated, following a one-year suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy. He was selected 59th overall by the team in the 2020 NBA Draft.
On Tuesday, the NBA and NBPA released this statement: “The NBA and National Basketball Players Association today granted the application of Jalen Harris to be reinstated as an NBA player.”
Harris was eligible for reinstatement because he was a first-year player. For league veterans, a two-year ban is the standard punishment for a drug violation. Harris took to Twitter to respond to this news.
🙏🏽
— Jalen (@TheJalenHarris) August 16, 2022
Furthermore, the 6’5″ guard last played in the 2020-21 season. During his rookie season, through 13 games played, Harris averaged 7.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He also averaged 50% shooting from the field and 47.2% from 3-point range.
On May 14, 2021, in the Raptors’ 114-110 loss against the Dallas Mavericks, Harris scored a career-high 31 points in 36 minutes of action. He finished 12-for-21 (57.1%) shooting from the floor.
While the Raptors retain his rights, the team is full right now. A two-way contract is also not available. According to NBC Sports, Harris could play in the G League. He might be looking to sign an Exhibit 10 contract as well.
NBA reinstates former Raptors guard Jalen Harris after one-year suspension
Additionally, on July 1, 2021, the NBA suspended the guard one full season for violating explicit rules of the anti-drug program.
Last season, he played for the Vanoli Cremona of the Lega Basket Serie A. In 18 games played, while shooting 38.5% from the floor, Harris also averaged 13.8 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game.
The Player of the Game goes to Jalen Harris 🎖
The Shooting Stars Guard had a huge game with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists leading the Shooting Stars to the #CEBL Championship Game on Sunday.
Presented by: @Bet99Sportsbook #LetsBall #NRLvsSSS pic.twitter.com/UQNWAinXpO
— CEBL (@CEBLeague) August 12, 2022
Now, the guard is currently signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In Scarborough’s 80-70 loss to the Montreal Alliance, Harris ended his performance with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
He helped lead the Shooting Stars to the CEBL Championship Game after putting up 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in another notable win.
While in the NCAA, through a total of 68 games played, Harris averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal per game. Plus, he averaged 45.1% shooting from the field and 35.9% from downtown. The guard played his first two years at Louisiana Tech.
In his freshman 2016-17 season, Harris averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. These stats are based on appearances in 27 games. He was then selected to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
Then, he spent his next two years with the Nevada Wolfpack. After sitting out as a redshirt for his 2018-19 junior season, Harris averaged career-highs 21.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in the 2019-20 season.
Not to mention, he played 33 minutes per game in 30 games started. Harris then won Mountain West Newcomer of the Year and was selected to the All-Mountain West First Team in 2020.
If Jalen Harris returns to the NBA, he cannot risk another suspension. He celebrated his 24th birthday this past Sunday.
