Kansas basketball: Self says Dajuan Harris to “play the same minutes” as last year

After averaging 16 minutes per game in his redshirt freshman season, 6-foot-1 point guard Dajuan Harris returns for another shot at a vital role for the Kansas basketball team.

While serving as a backup point guard, the stat sheet certainly doesn’t show the impact Harris had for the Jayhawks at times this past season.

Take KU’s win against St. Josephs in November as an example. Coach Self called Harris “the igniter” of this game as the Jayhawks were up just one when Harris entered the game.

Five minutes later, and boom – the Jayhawks were up by 10. On paper, however, the eye-catching stat was teammate Christian Braun hanging 30 points in the game.

Or you can look at KU’s game against Eastern Washington in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. On paper, David McCormack was the top storyline as he scored 23 points after coming back from his Covid-19 quarantine.

However, KU would not have won without Harris on the floor. Not only did he hit a career-high (13 points) before halftime in that game, but KU was also plus/minus +22 while he was on the court.

Harris’ role last year was not to be the leading scorer but rather a key piece who could find shots for teammates, provide a spark on defense, and make everyone else on the court better.

This year, there will be no lack of backcourt players for Harris to compete with – including Bobby Pettiford, Joseph Yesufu, Kyle Cuffe, and Remy Martin.

Harris played backup point guard to Marcus Garrett last season and could very well play backup to Martin this year.

Regardless of his position or whether he’s starting or not, the small things are what will earn any player Self’s respect, and if he continues to do them, he’ll get his time on the court.

Stay posted at ThroughThePhog.com as we take a look at roles and predictions of other key rotation Jayhawks as we lead up to the season.