Dante Harris put in countless hours to be where he was Wednesday night, engulfed in a rivalry game in front of thousands of rowdy Virginia basketball fans. And not the kind of hours that typically come to mind, though those days and years led him there too, but the kind of hours in cold tubs, walking books, and rehabilitation mode that are less glamorous.

That’s what the last two months looked like mostly for Harris. A severe ankle sprain knocked him out of the lineup for 10 games. He got around on crutches. He wore a boot and watched from the bench. Kept grinding away to get back to the floor.

So Harris wasn’t going to be lukewarm or timid when that time came. While not 100% recuperated, he logged 17 minutes and poured a tall glass of energy into the lineup and John Paul Jones Arena atmosphere as UVA won a 65-57. Jordan Minor, a graduate transfer that also cracked into the rotation these last two games, appreciated the moment for Harris as much as anyone.

“I talk about my experience a lot, but his experience is also telling in itself,” Minor said. “Just being injured early is something that’s hard and like I said, brick by brick what I’ve been doing, he’s been doing the same thing, kind of going to work behind the scenes. I’m just so happy for him. He just gives us a lot of energy. Today he did with some nice passes and I think a bucket when he rejected the screen. I’m so happy for him. He’s been working and it’s been hard with his ankle, but he gives us a big boost.”

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