MACON, Ga. – Mercer University men’s basketball head coach Bob Hoffman has announced the signing of Shaquille Harris to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Bears beginning in 2011-12. Harris is a junior college transfer who will have two years of eligibility remaining upon joining MU’s program.

Harris, a 6’2” guard, comes to Mercer via Enterprise State Community College in Enterprise, Ala., where he played in 2010-11. Prior to that, Harris played one season at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in 2009-10. He was a 2009 graduate of Americus-Sumter High School in Americus, Ga.

“Shaquille is a talented guard who will be able to help in lots of different areas,” Hoffman said. “Whether it’s deep threes, catch-and-shot or attacking the rim, he has the ability to flat out score with the ball. That’s going to be especially important as we look for help to replace some of the scoring we are losing from last year’s roster.”

At Enterprise, Harris was a first team all-region and second team all-state pick last season. He averaged more than 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game. He shot 48 percent from the floor overall and 45 percent from beyond the arc, as well as 78 percent from the free throw stripe.

“Shaquille is a leader and tough competitor,” said Jermaine Williams, who coached Harris at ESCC. “He motivates his teammates and knows when to take over a game. Shaquille is very coachable and he is a great student in the classroom.

“Shaquille is a very well-mannered young man who has been through a lot to get to this point in his life.”

Harris enjoyed similar success at CVCC, where he led Region 22 in three-point shooting at 45.7 percent and ranked 20^th in treys made per game (1.84).  He also ranked among the Region 22 leaders in total three-point baskets made (26^th/32); blocks per game (34^th/0.68) and total blocks (42^nd/21).  He averaged 8.0 p.p.g. his freshman season.

At Americus-Sumter H.S., Harris had a standout senior year.  He earned All-State first team accolades from the GACA and was all-state honorable mention by the Georgia sportswriters. He averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game.

Harris joins Kymon Woods, Travis Smith and T.J. Hallice in signing on with the Bears for 2011-12.

“We are excited to have Shaquille become a Mercer Bear,” Hoffman added. “I think our fans are going to like the type of exciting play he brings to the basketball court.”

Harris is expected to major in electrical engineering at Mercer.