Dajuan Harris, Jr.: "I want to break the assist record"

What a run it’s been for Dajuan Harris, Jr., the 6-foot-2, 170-pound point guard from Columbia, Mo. Harris, who initially signed with Missouri State before arriving in Lawrence, has established himself as one of the best point guard prospects to sign on with Bill Self and Kansas.

Statistically, Harris, in 106 games, has averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Offensively, he’s connected on 45.6 percent of his field goals, 39.3 percent of his shots from behind the arc, and 67.9 percent of his free throws.

Last season, Harris, in 36 games, averaged 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. During that same stretch, he shot 47.1 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from behind the arc, and 59.6 percent from the free-throw line.

During KU’s run to the National Championship in 2022, Harris, during the NCAA Tournament, dished out 18 assists, was credited with eight steals, and committed 10 turnovers.

While surrounded by local and national media outlets at last week's Big 12 Media Day at the T-Mobile Center, JayhawkSlant.com asked Harris how he wants to be remembered long after his career at Kansas is complete.

“I want to be remembered as one of the best point guards that ever came here,” Dajuan Harris, Jr., told JayhawkSlant.com at Big 12 Media Day. “I won’t be the best point guard that ever came here, but I want to be named as one of the best guards. Really, I just want to get to get that assist record.

“I want to break the assist record, and whatever happens after that, just happens,” he added. “I really want to get that assist record.”

Harris, with two years of eligibility remaining, has dished out a total of 455 assists during his career at Kansas. He finished with 65 assists his first season, 166 assists in season number two, and, last season, Harris, Jr., dished out 224 assists.

Not surprisingly, Harris, Jr., will be given every opportunity to make a run at that assist record. Currently, Aaron Miles is KU’s career leader in assists with 954. Jacque Vaughn (804), Cedric Hunter (684), Kirk Hinrich (668), Devonte’ Graham (632), Darnell Valentine (609), Frank Mason (576), Tyshwan Taylor (575), Adonis Jordan (568), and Sherron Collins (552) round out the top 10.

Playing alongside guys like Hunter Dickinson, Johnny Furphy, Jamari McDowell, Elmarko Jackson, Kevin McCullar, Jr., Parker Braun, KJ Adams, Jr., and Nicolas Timberlake, Harris, Jr., should have another big season of distributing the basketball to a talented group of teammates this upcoming season.

“I just like how well we get along with each other off the court,” said Harris, Jr. “In the locker room, everybody is bonding and everybody is talking, even the walk-ons. Everybody is super tight. I think the trip to Puerto Rico made it that way.

“I’m glad that we were able to share that experience with each other,” he added. “I think we go better than learned from that, too.”

For Harris, Jr., and the University of Kansas men’s basketball program, the expectations this season couldn’t be any higher. As a team, Bill Self’s squad will enter the season as the No. 1 ranked team in college basketball.

Individually, Harris, Jr., was recently tabbed a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team performer. He’ll have the opportunity to take the court with some familiar faces, along with some newcomers who will be expected to play major roles from the jump.

One such player is Johnny Furphy, the 6-foot-9, 202-pound guard from Melbourne, Australia. While at Big 12 Media Day, Harris, Jr., talked a little about Furphy and what stands out about his game.

“He likes to run and he gets the offensive rebounds,” said Harris, Jr. “He likes to rebound a lot and he shoots threes. You know that I like to play with shooters, so he can shoot the ball. He’s just got to get more comfortable – he’s only been over here for like a month.

“He’s still learning a lot,” he added.