By: Aaron Green (TheLantern.com) –
High School McDonald’s All-American, Big Ten Champion, NCAA Basketball Runner-Up and Ohio State Alumnus are all titles held by former Buckeye Ivan Harris. NBA player is one he hopes to soon add to the list.

“Playing in the NBA is my dream,” Harris said. “Hopefully I’ll get the shot at a 10-day contract to see what it’s like.”

Harris is currently playing in the NBA Developmental League with the Erie Bayhawks. The NBA D-League is a lower-level league for basketball players, roughly analogous to minor league baseball. It’s a place where young talents showcase their ability and prepare Buy Ampicillin their game for the next level.

“It’s a good experience,” Harris said. “It’s an opportunity to show NBA scouts that you have the skills and what it takes to play in the NBA.”

Harris is averaging 12 points and nearly four rebounds a game for Erie in 24 games this season.

The D-League is highly competitive with players from all over the world hoping to play in the NBA. Harris welcomes the high level of competition.

“It’s at an NBA level with all the guys from overseas,” he said. “It makes you work really hard.”

Making the competition even greater is the fact that every night players are playing in front of NBA scouts and could get called up by any NBA team at any time. It’s like a non-stop audition for a new job. Harris compared it to his experience being recruited by colleges.

“It’s like playing AAU ball and traveling everywhere, with scouts from colleges watching your every move,” Harris said. “Except in the D-League it’s nothing but NBA scouts and they are who you have to impress to get paid.”

Harris left OSU in 2007 and has been making his way toward a hopeful NBA future. His work ethic is what keeps the fire burning inside of him.

“I can play anywhere as long as I work hard,” he said. “It is my dream to play in the NBA, but if the NBA is not where I’ll be, I can go overseas. I want to get paid and feel that I’m good enough.”

The D-League might not be the NBA, but it is certainly not college basketball. Teams play around 50 games a season, and the level of competition remains high every night.

“The biggest difference between the D-League and college ball is that it’s at an NBA level,” Harris said. “Everybody you play on a nightly basis either played in the NBA or has the talent to play. Everyone is more physical and tougher mentally.”

During his four years at OSU, the teams Harris played on were all fairly successful. In all but his freshman season, the Buckeyes won at least 20 games. Harris was a part of two Big Ten Championships and went to the Final Four in the 2006-07 NCAA Basketball Tournament, losing the championship game to Florida. Out of all of his fine moments as a Buckeye, he misses playing….

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