When Virginia basketball fans look back at the last 15 years and the Tony Bennett era, they often reminisce about the rise of the program and two players that helped start that trajectory. Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell.
Harris and Mitchell, after all, were part of Bennett’s first recruiting class and by the time they finished their Cavalier careers, they had delivered an ACC Tournament Championship, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a general return to national prominence. Part of that basketball chapter closed on Thursday when news broke that Harris would retire from the NBA.
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Harris with the No. 33 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, a few short months after he helped Virginia win that 2014 ACC Tournament. That marked only the second conference tourney title in the program’s history at the time, ending a drought all the way back to 1976. Harris received the Everett Case Award as the tournament MVP.
In addition to that MVP honor, Harris was a two-time All-ACC pick (2013 and 2014). He finished with 1,698 points, 509 rebounds, 254 assists, and 116 steals in his college career. He played 4,084 minutes in orange and blue while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range for his career.
After heading to the NBA, Harris saw limited playing time with Cleveland split time in the development league with the Canton Charge. By 2016, following foot surgery, the Cavs traded him to Orlando and he was immediately waived by the Magic. That left his NBA hopes hanging in the balance, but he signed on with the Brooklyn Nets in July 2016 where he became a rotation regular as one of the league’s top 3-point shooters. He led the league in 3-point percentage twice and eventually became the franchise’s all-time leader in made 3’s, surpassing Jason Kidd. In 2023, Brooklyn traded Harris to Detroit for what turned out to be his final season.
Over 10 seasons in the NBA, Harris recorded 5,185 points, 1,521 rebounds, 790 assists, and 241 steals. He made 1,026 3-pointers on 2,354 attempts to finish with a career average of 43.6% from distance. Harris won the 2019 3-point contest at NBA All-Star weekend, defeating Steph Curry and Buddy Hield in the final round with 26 total points. Harris made all 5 money balls on his final rack.
Virginia fans shared some retirement love for Harris on the message board.
- Joe and Akil will always hold a special place in my basketball heart. Without them there is no natty. Congrats on a great career, Joe. ~ hooshouse
- Thank you Joe, for everything. This is one of my favorite moments (video) still gives me goosebumps. What a great day to be a Cavalier! ~stubbyhoo
- He was the guy Tony could lose with before he could win with him. There have been so many great players (and great people) in our program, but it’s tough to argue against the premise that Joe was the most important. ~ Bourbon Bowl
- What a career, 5th in all-time 3 point percentage, 148th on the all-time made 3’s list and a higher career percentage than everyone in front of him. ~ Hoo Stu
Fan(s) Of The Week
Smile and Go Hoos!
Student Fan(s) Of The Week
Cheering for UVA on the hill.
Feature Photo Of The Week
Kiki Maki and the women’s soccer team kicked off the UVA sports year with a season-opening win against Towson.
OMGoodness, Joe Harris, thank you for all you brought to Hooville and to the NBA. Wow, it was fun following you from your first year at VA til now. You helped enable an endless array of excitement and great memories for all Hoo basketball fans. Thank you!
Godspeed to you with your retirement from the NBA. I can scarcely wait to learn what more great things are in your future, your hopes, dreams and aspirations. Job well done, Sport!
Blessings to you and yours.
Susan Stephenson
SON, 1980