Andrew Harrison, right, hopes to show during The Basketball Tournament that he's not finished playing professional basketball. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Andrew Harrison would be thrilled if La Familia, Kentucky’s alumni team, won the $1 million purse that goes to The Basketball Tournament (TBT)
“Actually, that’s the third reason I am here besides playing with my brother (Aaron) and getting to come back here,” said the former Kentucky point guard. “It would be pretty cool to make some money but honestly I would be here even without the chance of making some money.”
Andrew and his twin brother Aaron were on UK’s 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams. The Cats lost to UConn in the 2014 title game and suffered their first loss in a Final Four loss to Wisconsin in 2015.
“I remember the wins — the wins and the pain, the practices, the meals we had together. Being at Kentucky, when you’re in Lexington, it’s a big deal,” Andrew said at La Familia’s media day Monday. “There are so many memories, so many things you can never forget. So many things you forget and then it comes to your head, like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty amazing.’”
The twins created a huge buzz when they decided to leave Texas after brilliant prep careers to play for John Calipari. They came to the Marshall County HoopFest early in their senior season and the arena sold out. They also had huge lines waiting after games for autographs. However, they created even more buzz when they opted to stay at UK for a second season and were on the verge of helping UK have a perfect season as the Cats were 38-0 going to the Final Four.
“It was amazing playing here in high school. I had never experienced anything like that,” Andrew said. “Everybody always says that fans are special but this is truly a unique place and I try to explain to people and you can’t even put it into words how much they love basketball and support the basketball team here. It’s amazing. I’m happy I made that choice 10 years ago to play here.”
In his two-year career at Kentucky, Harrison averaged 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 79 games. His teammates included Julius Randle, James Young, Willie Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson and others.
Harrison played in 145 NBA games for Memphis and Cleveland and averaged 6.5 points, 2.2 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game. Since playing his last NBA game in 2019, he’s played in Russia, China, Turkey and Greece.
What the Harrisons did at Kentucky is probably under-appreciated. Kentucky won 67 games, including nine NCAA Tournament games and five SEC Tournament games, with them as the starting backcourt. However, UK did not win a title.
“I went through some struggles here. It wasn’t all good with some ups and downs. I took some blame and things like that, but I’m appreciative for it all. When you look back I want to say that part of my journey and that part of my life was exciting,” Andrew said.
“Not everyone got to do what we got to do. Everyone that comes here gets to do his thing, but me and my brother have been able to be ‘The Twins.’ I’ve been able to still be recognized when I go to other countries and other places. So that’s pretty cool.”
Harrison said he enjoyed both seasons at UK but the first one might have been a bit more rewarding because Kentucky “came out of nowhere” to almost win the national title. His brother, Aaron, hit game-winning shots in three straight tournament games.
“We kind of knew the talent that we had the first year but we just couldn’t put it together. Luckily we put it together at the right time,” Andrew said. “We were supposed to be this super talented, super great team from the start and it just didn’t work until the end.
“But at first it was a roller coaster. So I always said the first year was a little more exciting and rewarding. The second year we were really good all year.”
Harrison is getting into “some business and real estate things” to start his second living but is glad to have one more chance to play in Rupp Arena with La Familia.
“I am happy to play basketball in front of these fans again. I feel like I am to the point where my brain has caught up to my game. No more playing overseas. It’s kind of tough being by yourself all the time,” he said. “But I feel like I am not done yet.”
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La Familia plays in The Basketball Tournament Friday night at 8 in Rupp Arena.
