Harris Heads Back Out West
After a postgraduate season in New England, Brayden Harris is heading back to where it all started.
The California native has announced his commitment to the UC Riverside Highlanders, choosing to play for head coach Gus Argenal. Harris took an official visit to Riverside at the beginning of February and committed just days later on February 6th.
The Class of 2026 wing also held offers from Fairleigh Dickinson and Central Connecticut, visiting Central Connecticut in January. Ultimately, returning home to California and being closer to family played a major role in his decision.
Originally from San Jose, Harris made the move east for a postgraduate year at The MacDuffie School, a step that connected with his long term goals and the current college basketball landscape.
“Brayden was a product for the current college basketball landscape,” said MacDuffie assistant coach Jared Exler. “Five years ago, he would have been Division I right out of high school. With that level wanting to go older now, he fit right into the prep school world.”
Before prep school, Harris was a star at Valley Christian High School, where he hosted an impressive career. During his senior season, he earned First Team All West Coast Athletic League, All State, and All Bay Area honors, while leading Valley Christian to its most wins in over twenty years.
Last summer, Harris played with Players Play on the NXTPRO 16 circuit, competing against national level talent.
Once at MacDuffie, Harris didn't waste any time making an impact against NEPSAC Class AA competition. His daily approach set the tone from the moment he arrived on campus.
“Brayden came in focused each day to reach his D1 goal both on and off the floor,” Exler noted.
That focus translated to production. Before being sidelined following his January 20th game, Harris turned in several standout performances, including 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists against Kimball Union, a 23 point outing versus Brimmer and May, and an 11 rebound, 3 steal performance against Worcester Academy.
“He turned into one of the best players in NEPSAC AA,” Exler said. “It’s a shame his season ended the way it did.”
At 6’6, Harris checks the boxes of the modern college wing. He’s long, athletic, and physical, being able to score at all three levels. A sniper confident to shootoff the catch and the dribble. He uses a crafty handle to comfortably get to his pull up spots, applies consistent downhill pressure, and finishes through contact around the rim with either hand. His athleticism also shows up on the glass, where he rebounds at a high rate for his position.
Moving forward, Harris’ game still has room to expand as he makes the jump to the college level.
“UC Riverside is getting a high scoring wing who rebounds and has untapped playmaking upside,” Exler added. “His best basketball should still be ahead of him.”
While Harris will miss the remainder of the prep season due to injury, his time off gives him the chance to focus fully on recovery, strength development, and preparation ahead of his arrival at UC Riverside this summer.
Brayden Harris