When Harris planed in from the US last month, the first persons he phoned were his mother Emma McCall and an uncle. Harris called to say he landed safely.

“I’m hoping they can come over (to Manila) and watch me play,” said Harris. “But I’m not thinking of that at the moment. We’ve got two more games to play in the eliminations. I’m planning to bring them over for the playoffs. It’s too early to even think of the finals.”

The only team that Talk ‘N’ Text has lost to so far is Smart Gilas and that was the Texters’ opening contest last Feb. 25. Gilas won, 103-98, as 6-10 naturalized player Marcus Douthit compiled 16 points and 26 rebounds. Harris scored 25 in his PBA debut. Since the setback, Talk ‘N’ Text has won six in a row. Harris is averaging 27 points and 13.6 rebounds.

Harris has two sons, Paul III, 7, and Nkhyai, 3. He carries a tattoo on his right bicep with Paul III’s name and his birthdate. Asked about a tattoo for his other son, Harris said, “I’m working on it” with a smile.

Of all the imports he’s faced, Harris said he has the most respect for Meralco’s Champ Oguchi. “He’s tough and a great shooter,” said Harris. Oguchi torched the Texters for 43 points but Talk ‘N’ Text held on to repulse the Bolts, 109-106, last March 11.

“But I haven’t played against (Nate) Brumfield yet,” said Harris. “He plays a different position than me but you know how it is with imports. Down the stretch, we’re probably going to be guarding each other. That’s okay with me. I’ll be ready.”

Brumfield will lead Ginebra against the Texters in a much-awaited showdown at the Araneta Coliseum this Sunday.

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Harris, 24, said he cherishes the memory of playing for Syracuse University, an NCAA Division I powerhouse. He suited up three years with the Orangemen who registered an overall record of 73-35 during his stay.

“It was quite an experience playing before 20,000 fans when we battled Georgetown,” he said. “One of the highlights of my collegiate career was our six-overtime marathon win over Connecticut. I had 29 points and 22 rebounds.”

Harris said he’s looking forward to playing in front of 20,000 fans in the PBA – a big crowd is expected for the game against Ginebra and for sure, over 10,000 will show up.

Harris has a brother Tyreck and two sisters Barbara and Karema. When he played for Syracuse, Harris lived with his son Paul III in a Slocum Heights apartment on South Campus. His son sometimes came to watch the Orangemen practice. “Harris has taken fatherhood very seriously,” said Sal Constantino, a Niagara Falls high school assistant coach who has known the star guard since he was 10. “He gets it from his mom. He wants better for his son than he had.”

Harris said his life turned around when his son was born. “I just have somebody that depends on me now,” he said, quoted by Matt Gelb. “There are things you gotta do in life and that’s just something I have to do.”

Constantino said Harris’ mother, a single parent, has worked all her life. “I’ll never forget when she came in, Paul was 12, money was very tight and we were raising money for the kids,” said Constantino. “She came in with $50 for Paul. She always had a commitment for him.”

Constantino said he couldn’t be happier for Harris. “I’m just really happy for him,” he added. “But I’m not surprised because he’s gone through many difficult things in his life. He has had to handle situations that young men his age hopefully will never have to handle again.”

When Harris was 16, he spent 13 days in a New York jail awaiting a hearing for charges of intent to sell crack cocaine. He got off with five years probation after a close circle of friends pleaded to a judge for a second chance, wrote Gelb. Then, a year later, he was charged with third-degree assault following an altercation with his girlfriend. Harris attended an anger-management program for 15 weeks and the charges were eventually dropped.

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It was in 2003 when Harris’ star started to shine brightly and scouts took notice. During a high school camp, Harris played against 6-11 Dwight Howard and acquitted himself, shutting down the center in what was supposed to be a mismatch. Harris got the job of defending Howard when a teammate went down with an injury. In 2005, he was phenomenal in a high school game for the New York Class AA state championship, collecting 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists – with a broken thumb on his shooting hand. Harris was named the tournament MVP. That same year, in a high school camp, he held O. J. Mayo to only two points.

Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star