Harrison Aligbe to Xavier

Over the weekend, Richard Pitino and Xavier landed a big-time commitment from 6’8 forward Harrison Aligbe, a 1st team All-NEPSAC selection who spent his senior year at St. Andrew’s School. Harrison will be teaming up at Xavier with his older brother Rolyns, providing Xavier a versatile forward duo with built-in chemistry and a proven history of success together.

Harrison’s journey to the Division 1 level was unlike most. The Minnesota native made the move to New England prep basketball following his older brother, a decision that would change the trajectory of his career.

“My transition to prep school in New England all started with my older brother Rolyns. He graduated from Minnehaha with no true Division 1 interest despite his combination of talent and size at 6’9. My oldest brother Prince and I urged him not to settle. Prince reached out to his former head coach at Boston College, Earl Grant, who informed us about The Winchendon School,” Harrison said. “My parents urged me to follow my brother. After doing a lot of research, I saw something in the NEPSAC that I did not have at home in Minnesota: exposure and the elite level of competition in the New England prep scene”

That decision turned out to be a pivotal moment for Harrison. After two successful years at Winchendon and his final season at St. Andrew’s, Harrison grew into one of the more fascinating wing prospects in the region. His combination of length, athleticism, and obviously evolving perimeter abilities shot him up recruiting boards.

Aligbe has all the tools and the skillset necessary for a successful collegiate player. He’s a lengthy and explosive athlete who can score inside and out, has a relentless motor, and defensive attributes you simply can’t teach. His wide frame, partnered with athletic ability, led to him excelling at not only attacking closeouts but finishing both through contact and above the rim consistently. Over the past year, Aligbe has improved his outside game tremendously, showing his ability to step out well behind the arc and knock down jumpers coming off screens as well as catch and shoot, which is where I believe he excels most.

Harrison is more than an athletic scoring wing. His relentless motor shows up in all aspects of his game. He is an exceptional prospect defensively, and an elite rebounder who has had some monster games on the glass to back it up. He is not afraid of the physicality that will, without a doubt, come playing in the Big East and is also an underrated passer who can find open cutters and keep the offense flowing.

Harrison made it clear that he would not have gotten to this point without the support from numerous people throughout his journey.

“First, I would like to thank my mom and dad for always being nothing but positive... They had the utmost confidence in me and never once doubted me,” said Harrison. “My two older brothers paved the path for me... They always believed in me and gave me the blueprint for success. I also want to thank all my coaches, starting with Chancellor Ellis, who has been my biggest believer over the last three years. He always kept it real with me, and taught me to keep my head down, stay patient, and trust that what I deserved would come. I also want to thank Michael Hart, Mike Haggerty, Alfred Chan, Eric Eaton, and Lance Johnson for helping build me as a player and making me the man I am today.”

At Xavier, he’ll have the opportunity to team back up with his brother, now at the Division I level, something that they dreamt about, said Harrison. When asked about the idea of being back on the same team as Rolyns, Harrison added:

“I am more than excited to play with my brother Rolyns again. We have shared the court with teams more than 4 times, and every time we share the court together, those teams have been great,” Aligbe said.

On the court itself, the way their games complement each other is undeniable. Rolyns possesses the ability to stretch the floor at the power forward position, while Harrison displays his versatility as a wing, scoring at all three levels and posing matchup problems for opposing teams.

“Rolyns and my game complement each other well because we are both very versatile players who can guard multiple positions and rebound,” he said. “Rolyns being more of a pick-and-pop stretch four... and me, a 6’8 wing who can shoot the three at a high level but also be a mismatch problem for smaller defenders, has always brought Rolyns and I success. I'm just happy to see both of us at the level nobody thought we could be at, enjoying our dream together!”

Harrison has all the necessary tools to grow into a major two-way piece at the next level and has already proven his ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways. He will now once again get to do so alongside his brother.