Whatever success Jordan Harris enjoys during his career at Georgia, the Bulldog freshman figures he’ll have former football standout Bacarri Rambo to thank.
Like Rambo, Harris hails from Donaldsonville, where he starred at Seminole County High before moving on to UGA, a decision he made largely due to conversations he had with the former Bulldog safety.
“Me and Bacarri, we’re real tight. He came here and he shared some of his stories and experiences here,” Harris said. “He gave me a heads up on a lot of things. We’re from the same area. It took a lot to get here; he understands that and he played professional ball. That’s a great advantage I have.”
As Harris (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) puts it, the two have walked in similar shoes.
Not only do they come from similar backgrounds, hometown, and circumstances, Harris said the fact Rambo was able to use his talents to give himself a better life has him focused on doing the same.
“We (Seminole County High) had Bacarri in football, and a couple of other football guys, but I can’t name one basketball player. I think I was the first to sign a Division I scholarship,” Harris said. “You always hear about how good guys were and they go way back to the point where I wasn’t even born. But when I asked what school he went to, he was like, ‘Oh, he went JUCO, he didn’t go to school, things happened.’
There’s a lot of situations where guys didn’t survive, they couldn’t get out, I took in some of that stuff and it made me the player and guy I am today.”
The Bulldogs are no doubt glad to have him.
A four-time All-State honoree, Harris led Seminole County to the Class AA state championship, averaging 30.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, including a 41-point effort in the 76-71 win over Crawford County in the state title game.
“He (Rambo) told me straight up there’s a lot of distractions around here, but to stay on top of my school work, make sure I’m in the gym working, stay grounded and stay humble,” he said. “It’s a blessing and I’m here. Even if I don’t become a better player every day, I’m going to be a better guy. I’ve got the right guys around me. I’m just blessed to be here.”
