My All-Time Favorite Players: 11th - Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris quickly became a fan-favorite in Knoxville, as his dominant play made it evident that he would be bound for professional basketball. It does run in his family, as he is the cousin of NBA center, Channing Frye. Frye has played for the New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers this past February. Tobias Harris was just the seventh McDonald's All-American to sign with Tennessee in the program's history. Additionally, the 5-star recruit was a consensus top-10 overall prospect in his class.

Tobias began his Tennessee career by averaging 15 PPG and 6.5 rebounds per game (RPG) in the NIT Season Tip-Off in Madison Square Garden, as he made a return to his home state. His play earned him All-Tournament Team honors. Later, against No. 21 Memphis, he logged 17 points and 13 rebounds in just 17 minutes of action. His SEC debut came against Arkansas, as he posted 21 points and 11 rebounds. He absolutely stuffed the stat sheet at Georgia, scoring 15 points, including 3 made 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks and 3 steals. To have a player who is capable of contributing in so many different categories is a huge advantage for any team. Before scoring 25 points on the road against South Carolina, his eighth double-double, 10 points and 11 rebounds, led Tennessee past No. 18 Vanderbilt. Harris reached the 25 point mark once again, this time in the SEC Tournament against Florida. Then, in the second-round NCAA Tournament loss, he scored a game-high 19 points, after shooting a perfect 6-6 from the field in the first half.

Harris led the Vols in scoring 13 times and rebounding 18 times. He was tied for third among SEC players with 8 double-doubles, and his 7.3 RPG was sixth among all of the major-conference freshmen. Also, his 15.3 PPG was fifth among all major-conference freshmen. After being named SEC Freshman of the Week 3 times, he was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team, and joined the second-team All-SEC as well. His highest honor in his lone season on Rocky Top was when the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) chose him as a second-team All-American.

In the 2011 NBA Draft, 18-year-old Tobias was selected with the 19th pick of the first round by the Charlotte Bobcats, but was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, in a 3-team trade. He was the youngest player in the draft, and became Tennessee's eighth all-time first-round NBA draft pick. In February of 2013, Harris was traded to the Orlando Magic. Then, 3 years later in February of 2016, he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. He played extremely well in Detroit, and was a leader of the team, but in February of this year, he was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he hopes to rejuvenate the franchise.

Vol fans are not used to players being "one-and-done," so it was exciting to see him go, but sad at the same time because he is so talented. Still, making the move to the NBA is looking more and more like the right decision. His one year will be treasured by Tennessee fans, and they will always be a fan of his, no matter which team he plays for.