WVU Sophomore Josiah Harris Walking for Graduation, Joining Team Later vs. UMass

WVU forward Josiah Harris is currently still in Morgantown as the Mountaineers are set to play UMass in Springfield, Mass. on Saturday night. Harris, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, will be walking for graduation and then immediately flying to return to his team against the Minutemen.

WVU F Josiah Harris will be walking for graduation as a sophomore today before re-joining the team in time for the UMass game tonight pic.twitter.com/4AtZhPO1zm

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) December 16, 2023

Harris, 20 years old, is majoring in communication studies. The Canton, Ohio native earned his associate’s degree as a high school junior and was able to get ahead of his academic schedule before coming to West Virginia.

“I brought it up the other day with him, we were getting some food and I said something about classes and how things are going. Every time I talk to him it’s an incredible story on how he can graduate that quickly being a sophomore in college,” WVU interim HC Josh Eilert said in October. “He looked at me and said, ‘they’re paying for it, why wouldn’t I take as many classes as I can?’ And you just don’t hear that from college athletes anymore. He’s taking advantage of what’s put in front of him. While someone is paying for it he’s going to take as many classes as possible and get the best possible education.”

“That’s a beautiful thing and that’s refreshing to hear in 2023. So I hope he comes out here with two really good degrees and maybe even an emphasis somewhere else,” Eilert added.

Harris has started all nine games, averaging 5.4 points and 5.1 rebounds.

West Virginia and UMass will tipoff in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.