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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Men's Basketball Announces Signing Of Aaron Harper
11/12/1999 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. -- Aaron Harper, a 6-foot-5 guard from Jackson, Miss., has signed a national letter of intent to attend Ole Miss beginning in the 2000-01 academic year, announced Rebel second-year head coach Rod Barnes on Friday. Harper did not enroll at Ole Miss this past September, and has re-signed with the Rebel basketball program in an effort to become a full qualifier for the 2000-01 season.
A 1999 Clarion-Ledger All-State first team pick, Harper averaged 20.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals during his senior campaign in 1998-99. He helped lead Provine High School to a 35-4 record and a runner-up finish in the Mississippi Class 5A state tournament last season. The 1999 title game was his third straight appearance in the state championship contest. Also selected to the Clarion-Ledger All-Metro squad, Harper was chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game this past summer. A 1998-99 Clarion-Ledger preseason "Dandy Dozen" selection, Harper entered his senior season at Provine as one of the top prep players in the state of Mississippi. Harper was also rated among the nation's top 100 seniors by recruiting analyst Bob Gibbons.
"Aaron has a great perimeter game, and will add size and athleticism to our backcourt," said Barnes. "Aaron comes from a solid high school basketball program, and he has a strong will to win."
Named to the Clarion-Ledger's All-State second team following his junior campaign in 1997-98, the 180-pound Harper was also selected to the Clarion-Ledger's All-Metro first team. As a junior, he averaged 17.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists his junior season and helped lead Provine to a 37-1 record and the Mississippi 5A state championship. Provine finished the year ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 25 in the final USA Today Boys' High School Top 25 Poll.
During his sophomore campaign in 1996-97, Harper averaged 16.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. He helped lead the Rams to a 21-8 mark and the Mississippi 5A state title game. Provine finished the 1996-97 season ranked No. 2 in the state. Following his sophomore season, Harper received Clarion-Ledger All-State honorable mention and All-Metro second team accolades.
The Ole Miss Rebel squad will host its second exhibition game on Saturday, Nov. 13 against the Ukraine Select Team. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Tad Smith Coliseum. Ole Miss opens regular-season play with a home contest on Friday, Nov. 19 versus Jacksonville State at 7:30 p.m.