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Logan • Two field goals may not seem like much. But for Sean Harris, it's a career.
The only Aggies senior who hasn't been a regular starter made his first career start Wednesday night. And it was no ceremonial bit: Harris played the first nine minutes of the game without a break, then subbed in during the second half. His minutes included scoring his first-ever baskets for Utah State.
With a four-point night, Harris easily secured a new career best. And it meant the world to him.
"This is something that I couldn't even fathom tonight," he said. "I was expecting to get in there and maybe get a rebound. To score, get an assist, a couple rebounds — I think I even got a steal — that's just amazing that I could do all that out there."
He finished with two assists, three rebounds and a steal while shooting 2 for 3 for the game. It was a fitting Senior Night for a player who nearly saw his career derailed by troublesome knees.
Throughout his career, Harris has been dogged by injuries. He tore his ACL twice, both times requiring surgery. As recently as the summer, the Aggies weren't sure he'd be healthy enough to be on the team, much less play.
But Harris embraced his role as a scout team player, and is commonly identified as the most well-liked player on the squad. Getting points in his first career start? Well that's just gravy.
"I've been working for the last two years to go out there and play," he said. "I just wanted to play hard and go out and make hustle plays, and luckily I got two baskets and a couple rebounds. It was more than I was expecting. Probably out of all the games I've played, this will be the one I look back on and remember the most."
Harris' attitude has made him a favorite among his teammates and fans alike. The student section on Wednesday had several likenesses of Harris' most prominent feature: his red-headed flattop that rises several inches above his forehead.
His teammates were equally enthused for Harris, who also happened to be the last member of the starting lineup to score. He had more than a few passes his way.
Spencer Butterfield, who was his teammate at Yuba College before both came to Utah State, sang his praises.
"It was awesome. It was the best feeling," Butterfield said. "That's all I wanted him to do was get some sort of stat. He filled the stat sheet tonight. I couldn't be more proud of him."
Twitter: @kylegoon