Issue date: 2/2/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jon Eilts Freshman point guard Dash Harris plays against Texas Jan. 24 in Austin. Harris came to Texas A&M after being recruited by top programs nationwide, and would ultimately like to play professionally. [Click to enlarge]

When freshman guard Dashan "Dash" Harris stepped onto campus in fall 2008, it became just another stop on his journey toward his ultimate goal of being an NBA point guard.

Harris was born in New Orleans, grew up in Los Angeles and played high school basketball at a private Christian academy near Orlando, Fla. In high school, Harris was recruited by some of the top programs in the nation, including Kentucky, Indiana, Southern California, Cincinnati and California, but A&M was his destination.

"I love it here," he said. "I don't want to compare [College Station] to L.A. or Florida though ... I'm here to focus on school and basketball, because I'm really trying to achieve my goals with academics and on the basketball court."

Harris said College Station, without the glitz and distractions of Florida or Los Angeles, allows him to place his focus on getting to the next level.

He said the family-like relationship within the team and the prestige of A&M made his choice easier.

"Me and my family, we all had a good connection with the coaching staff," Harris said. "The academics here were really important, and I liked the diversity within the student body. It was just the whole package on and off the court."

Harris plays behind starting junior Donald Sloan, but his playing time has progressively increased throughout the season. He is second on the team in assists.

"Right now I like to get guys going for us, scoring wise, and help the team get moving faster," Harris said. "During the game I like to push the ball and play at an up-tempo speed. I like to set guys up, and I look to score if the opportunity presents itself. Defensively, I take pride in stopping the guy who leads the other team."

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