Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Dashay Harrell (/ˈmɒntrɛz ˈhærəl/; born January 26, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. Harrell received the Karl Malone Award as the top power forward in the nation as a junior in 2015. He was selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017 and was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2020.

Montrezl Harrell
Harrell with Louisville in 2015
No. 15 – Los Angeles Lakers
PositionCenter / Power forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1994-01-26) January 26, 1994
Tarboro, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeLouisville (2012–2015)
NBA draft2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 32nd overall
Selected by the Houston Rockets
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015–2017Houston Rockets
2015–2016→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2017–2020Los Angeles Clippers
2020–presentLos Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
*Later vacated
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA World U19 Championship
2013 Czech Republic National team
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
2012 Brazil National team

High school career

Harrell, a 6' 7" power forward from Tarboro, North Carolina, starred at North Edgecombe High School before prepping for a year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. There he led the team to a 38–1 record while averaging 25.2 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.[1] Originally Harrell committed to play college basketball for coach Seth Greenberg at Virginia Tech, but after Greenberg was fired, Harrell was released from his commitment and chose Louisville.[2]

College career

As a freshman, Harrell backed up power forward Chane Behanan, averaging 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. He played his best at the end of the season, scoring 20 points in the Cardinals' Big East Conference championship victory over Syracuse. In his reserve role, Harrell helped the Cardinals win the 2013 NCAA championship, which was later vacated,[3] to cap his freshman season.[1]

With Gorgui Dieng's departure for the 2013 NBA draft, Harrell received recognition in the offseason leading to his sophomore year as one of the top returning players in the country. The Sporting News selected Harrell to the preseason All-America third team in its 2013–14 college basketball preview magazine.[4] He and teammate Russ Smith received postseason honors, being named to the American Athletic Conference's all-conference first team.[5]

Harrell decided to stay for his junior season instead of opting for the NBA, and the Cardinals moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).[6] In the 2014–15 season, he averaged 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and was the inaugural winner of the Karl Malone Award, given to the nation's top power forward.[7] He was also named second-team All-ACC.[8]

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2015–2017)

On June 25, 2015, Harrell was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft with the 32nd overall pick.[9] On September 19, 2015, he signed a three-year deal with the Rockets.[10] He made his debut for the Rockets in the team's season opener against the Denver Nuggets on October 28, recording eight points and three rebounds in a 105–85 loss.[11] Two days later, he scored 17 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.[12] On November 13, he made his first career start, scoring five points in just under 13 minutes of action, as the Rockets were defeated by the Denver Nuggets 107–98.[13] On March 28, 2016, Harrell received a five-game suspension without pay for pushing a game official.[14] During his rookie season, he received multiple assignments to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets' D-League affiliate.[15]

On November 2, 2016, Harrell had a 17-point, 10-rebound effort off the bench in a 118–99 win over the New York Knicks.[16] On December 21, 2016 against the Phoenix Suns, Harrell made his first start of the season and second of his career. He scored 17 points as a result, tying a career high.[17] On December 30, he set a new career high with 29 points in a 140–116 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[18] On January 8, 2017, he had 28 points in 26 minutes off the bench on 12-of-13 shooting in a 129–122 win over the Toronto Raptors.[19]

Los Angeles Clippers (2017–2020)

On June 28, 2017, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Harrell, Patrick Beverley, Sam Dekker, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, Lou Williams, Kyle Wiltjer and a 2018 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Chris Paul.[20] On January 11, 2018, he scored a season-high 25 points in a 121–115 win over the Sacramento Kings.[21]

On July 24, 2018, Harrell re-signed with the Clippers.[22] On October 26, 2018, Harrell scored a career-high 30 points off the bench in a 133–113 win over the Houston Rockets.[23] On February 22, 2019, he matched his career high with 30 points in a 112–106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.[24] Three days later, he set a new career high with 32 points in a 121–112 win over the Dallas Mavericks.[25] In September 2020, Harrell was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year. However, the Clippers fell in seven games after the Denver Nuggets came back from a 3–1 deficit. Harrell averaged 10.5 points and 2.9 rebounds in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers (2020–present)

On November 22, 2020, Harrell signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[26] On December 22, 2020, Harrell made his Lakers debut, putting up 17 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, in a 116–109 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.[27]

National team career

In 2012, Harrell was a member of the United States team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship that won Gold in São Sebastião do Paraíso, Brazil.[28]

NBA career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Houston 3919.7.644–.5221.7.4.3.33.6
2016–17 Houston 581418.3.652.143.6283.81.1.3.79.1
2017–18 L.A. Clippers 76317.0.635.143.6264.01.0.5.711.0
2018–19 L.A. Clippers 82526.3.615.176.6436.52.0.91.316.6
2019–20 L.A. Clippers 63227.8.580.000.6587.11.7.61.118.6
Career 3182520.9.614.100.6384.91.3.6.912.7

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016 Houston 206.0.333.000.5001.0.0.0.01.5
2017 Houston 504.2.333–.5001.2.4.0.01.0
2019 L.A. Clippers 6026.3.730.000.6925.52.2.5.718.3
2020 L.A. Clippers 13018.7.573.200.6032.9.4.4.510.5
Career 26016.7.629.143.6183.00.8.3.49.8

Personal life

Harrell is the son of Samuel and Selena Harrell and has two younger brothers, Cadarius and Quatauis.[1]

Harrell enjoys collecting and designing sneakers. Through social media, he finds sneaker customizers who can make his shoe designs a reality.[29] Harrell wears different shoes during the first and second half of every basketball game.[30] In August 2018, the NBA modified its shoe policy allowing NBA players to wear any colored shoes.[31]

Harrell left the 2020 NBA Bubble in Walt Disney World for a family matter, which was later revealed to be to tend to his grandmother, who died soon after. He missed the first two games in the bubble.[32]

References
  1. "Montrezl Harrell bio". GoCards.com. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  2. Goodman, Jeff (June 4, 2012). "Louisville adds former Virginia Tech signee Montrezl Harrell". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. Tracy, Marc (February 20, 2018). "Louisville Must Forfeit Basketball Championship Over Sex Scandal". www.nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  4. 2013–14 Sporting News College Basketball Yearbook, page 9
  5. Greer, Jeff (March 11, 2014). "Louisville's Russ Smith, Montrezl Harrell make AAC's all-conference first team". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  6. Gleason, Scott (October 18, 2014). "College basketball countdown: No. 9 Louisville". USA Today. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  7. Greer, Jeff (April 11, 2015). "U of L's Harrell named PF of the Year". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  8. Cook, Josh (April 11, 2015). "Harrell Receives Karl Malone Award". Louisville Magazine. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  9. "Rockets Draft Dekker and Harrell". NBA.com. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  10. "Rockets sign rookie Montrezl Harrell". KHOU.com. September 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  11. "Gallinari's 23 points leads Nuggets over Rockets 105–85". NBA.com. October 28, 2015. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  12. "Curry has 25, Warriors rout Rockets in West finals rematch". NBA.com. October 30, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  13. "Gallinari's scores 27 points, Nuggets top Rockets 107–98". NBA.com. November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  14. Watkins, Calvin (March 29, 2016). "Montrezl Harrell suspended five games without pay for pushing ref". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  15. "2015–16 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  16. "Harden has 30 points, 15 assists, Rockets rout Knicks 118–99". ESPN.com. November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  17. "Harden, Gordon lead Rockets to 125–111 win over Suns". ESPN.com. December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  18. "James Harden has triple-double, Rockets top Clippers 140–116". ESPN.com. December 30, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  19. "Harden powers Rockets past Raptors for 8th straight win". ESPN.com. January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  20. "Press Release: L.A. Clippers Acquire Seven Players and Draft Pick, Including Beverley, Dekker, Harrell and Williams". NBA.com. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  21. "Clippers hold off Kings 121–115 after blowing 14-point lead". ESPN.com. January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  22. "Press Release: L.A. Clippers Re-Sign Montrezl Harrell". NBA.com. July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  23. "Harrell has career-high 30 as Clippers rout Rockets 133–113". ESPN.com. October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  24. "Montrezl Harrell scores 30, Clippers beat Grizzlies 112–106". ESPN.com. February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  25. "Harrell dunks Clippers past Mavericks 121–112". ESPN.com. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  26. "Lakers Sign Montrezl Harrell". NBA.com. November 22, 2020.
  27. Villanueva, Virgil (December 22, 2020). "Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell provide silver lining to LA opening night loss to Clippers". ClutchPoints. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  28. "USA FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Men – All-Time Alphabetical Roster". USA Basketball. August 30, 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  29. Greif, Andrew. "Montrezl Harrell makes the most of NBA relaxing policy on basketball shoes – Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  30. "Montrezl Harrell's Shoe Game Will Blow You Away This Season". Clips Nation. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  31. "Sources: NBA lifts color restrictions on sneakers". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  32. Owens, Jason. "Clippers' Montrezl Harrell announces death of his grandmother". Yahoo!.
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