Josiah Harris Gives Injury Update as West Virginia Arrival is Near

The ending of Josiah Harris’ high school basketball career was a lot to take in. From a state championship to a diagnosed fractured lateral tibia within 72 hours, Harris was trying to enjoy the present while focusing on the future. In late March, surgery was unknown and a timeline was undecided.

WV Sports Now got in contact with Harris for an update on his recovery.

“My recovery has been great so far, everything has been going better than expected,” Harris said. “All of my doctors have been saying that my knee has been progressing very well.”

It all started with making contact with an opposing player in the OHSAA State Semi-Finals game. In the first minute of the game and Harris needed to be taken out. For the rest of the game, the 6-foot-7 forward played limited time, finishing with 10 points. It was a tough decision for Richmond Heights head coach Quentin Rogers, but Harris needed to sit out the OHSAA State Championship game.

“Everything happened so fast,” he said.

Luckily for the future Mountaineer, Harris was notified that he would not need surgery within the first week of his diagnosis. Harris has been spending his time recently doing physical therapy and has almost completed his session.

The Cleveland native has become more active and has been cleared for certain activities by doctors.

“I got cleared to start shooting and jogging around to get back in shape,” Harris said. “I haven’t been cleared for full contact on the court yet, but that should be coming soon.”

Harris stated that it has been tough not being able to go out onto a basketball court. This past season, Harris averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds, leading Richmond Heights High School to a 25-4 record and their first OHSAA State Championship in school history.

Harris is the size of a forward but plays like a guard. The 3-star recruit can score at all three levels on the court. Harris can drive to the rim and score while spreading out the floor and testing his range from three.

“I feel I can bring leadership, winning plays, rebounding and shot-making,” he said. “I can shoot it from anywhere on the floor. I can be versatile on defense and offense.”

Right now, Harris is expected to be cleared for full-contact activities by the end of the summer. Harris will graduate from Richmond Heights High School on Tuesday and focus on his future collegiate aspirations.

“Everything is going well now and I’m just ready to get down to campus,” Harris said.

Harris will arrive in Morgantown on June 4 and join the many new faces that will represent WVU this upcoming season.