I have no idea how good of a defender he is, but this is the first I've heard this. Everything I've read elsewhere is that his defense is a weakness. If he is both an elite shooter and an elite defender, how would he not immediately make an impact?
Maybe "experts" & "elite" were exaggerations, but so too were the reports of his bad defense. I've never read anything but praise for his defense in the various scouting/game reports I've seen.
ESPN Scouting Report:
Strengths:
Harris is a high level shooter of the basketball. He's advanced for his age because not only does he have deep range, a quick release and the ability to make shots in bunches once he gets hot but also because he makes the type of tough shots that translate to the next level. He's the type of shooter you can run a play for because he runs his man off screens effectively away from the ball and makes shots on the move. He'll run to the arc in transition and compromise opposing transition defenses early in the possession and even can even make three's after a lateral dribble when defenders fly by him in an attempt to run him off the arc. He also has a complimenting one-dribble pull-up game to attack bad close-outs. Harris plays strong with the ball, pounding his dribble and snapping his passes, and also has a very good left hand.
He has a strong and chiseled frame that is virtually college ready and has been very well coached on both ends of the floor so he's experienced running offense and defending at a high level. He's a competitive defender who works hard on that end, chases other shooters off screens, closes out well and is active pressuring the ball.
Weaknesses:
He's a straight two-guard who can handle the ball capably within the offense but isn't yet a totally reliable ball-handler or decision maker against pressure. He's also a little undersized for playing exclusively off the ball. The vast majority of his shots (close to 75% in EYBL play) are from behind the arc and so while he has a one-dribble pull-up game he isn't the type of player who is going to break his man down and rarely able to get all the way to, or play above, the rim. The lack of versatility in his attack could make him easier to defend at the next level when scouting reports and more advanced schemes become much more prevalent.
Bottom Line:
He's a slightly undersized two-guard and a little one-dimensional but
his shot-making,
defensive prowess and strong body are all
college ready.
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"
Harris defended wings that were 6’4” to 6’7” and occasionally bigs on over 90% of possessions. He’s more built than most but no taller than the 6’1” he’s listed at, so each possession was a tough matchup for him.
In the few times he was switched onto a guard in the halfcourt, his on-ball defense and pick-and-roll defense impressed."
Matt Jessen-Howard - Rivals.com
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HoopGroup.com
Defense: A (this was actually the grade his
back court was given, but he's a big part of that obviously)
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"Jamir is a mature kid and a mature player.
If guys aren't defending and moving the ball
he will take their time at the guard spots."
Ryan James - Scout.com
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Random Posters on other sites after watching his game films:
"He also
looked like a pretty solid defender and caused the opponent some problems denying the ball from their top guard."
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"Handles are less than steller as a 2, and getting his own shot off was not a strength, but
physically B1G ready, hard nosed defender, and can shoot on the fly."
