After a sophomore season in which he averaged 16.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, Gary Harris had a tough decision to make. He could go pro and enter the NBA draft as a borderline lottery pick or he could stay for his junior season at Michigan State.

Spartans coach Tom Izzo helped make Harris' decision easy. Although Izzo admitted he would love to have Harris back in East Lansing, the coach felt he would do his player a disservice advising him to return to college. Izzo told the guard he was ready to take the next step, and Harris entered the draft.