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St. Pete high school basketball star is "one of a kind"

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Published  January 9, 2025 6:04pm EST
High School Sports
FOX 13 News

St. Pete freshman dominates varsity basketball

FOX 13's Sean Barie highlights Nijaun Harris, a freshman at St. Petersburg High School, who has dominated varsity basketball since he was in eighth grade and is not expected to stop.

The Brief

    • Nijaun Harris, a freshman on St. Petersburg High School's boy's basketball team, is heralded as the team's next-best player.
    • Coach Chris Blackwell has praised Harris for his ability and attitude.
    • Harris has been on the varsity basketball team at St. Pete High School since eighth grade.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Try as he might, St. Petersburg High boys' basketball coach Chris Blackwell can't hide the Green Devils' newest player. 

"You can't hide talent," Blackwell said. 

Nijaun Harris at practice with his team.

Nijaun Harris at practice with his team. 

But in his 24 years of coaching the program, Blackwell hasn't seen many talents walk into his gym like Nijaun Harris. 

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"He is one of a kind," said Blackwell. "We've had some amazing young men come through here that can play the basketball game, but coming in at his age, as a freshman, is just unheard of."

Even as a freshman, before Harris put on a St. Pete High jersey, the 6'5'' power forward's reputation preceded him. 

"I feel like every time I step out onto the court, I have to show what I'm capable of and what I can do," said Harris. "That always just comes from me being the player I am."

While most high school basketball players gain experience on a junior varsity team during their freshman seasons, Harris isn't like most high school basketball players.

Nijaun Harris practicing free throws during a team practice.

Nijaun Harris practicing free throws during a team practice.

Last year, as an eighth grader, Harris played varsity basketball for Lakeside Christian School and wound up leading the team in scoring. 

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"I really had to show my skills, so I feel like that was a big jump ahead that really helped me a lot," said Harris. 

A year later, and now at St. Pete, Harris is starting to draw offers from Division I college teams and recently eclipsed the 1,000-point mark just a dozen games into his freshman season. 

"I think, easily, he could probably be the leading scorer in the state of Florida," said Blackwell. 

And despite being new to the team, because of what he can offer on the court, some of Harris' Green Devils teammates have already started to look at the freshman as a team leader. 

"Even as a freshman. He's played at a very, very high level," said Blackwell. "Our kids respect him even if he is a freshman."

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Even as Harris gains more and more notoriety, the rising star has managed to stay levelheaded. 

"He is a team player. That is exactly what he is," said Blackwell. "Even though he scores the points, he plays the game the right way." 

Even though he may play for the Green Devils, there is nothing green about Nijaun Harris. 

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