MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A week ago, Eron Harris flipped in a few baskets not long before West Virginia’s NIT game had ended, but long after the loss to Georgetown had been decided. He finished with 10 points and at least as many sighs, arm flails and expressions of exasperation as his sophomore season concluded with another struggle and a seventh loss in 10 games.
Afterward, he stood in a hallway inside the McDonough Gymnasium and answered questions about the offseason awaiting him. Harris spoke optimistically about how he had to get stronger and learn to defend and rebound better so he could do his part to make the Mountaineers as good as he thought they could be next season.
Never once did he say something to suggest that was the end for him in a WVU uniform before he answered the final question and bounced around the gym to find his family, which had come from Indianapolis to watch him play.
Two days later, Harris used Twitter to encourage fans about the future.
“Shoutout to all our fans. #mountaineernation we’ll be back. Best believe that. SQUAD,” he wrote.
The message that came Monday was much more discouraging. Harris and his coach released a statement saying the sophomore has requested and been granted a release from his scholarship so Harris can transfer.
“I have enjoyed my time at West Virginia University the past two years, but I want to transfer closer to home,” Harris wrote. “I want to be closer to my family, especially being around my little brother.”
In the first three seasons following the 2010 Final Four appearance, Bob Huggins added 16 players to his roster who were freshmen or transfers. Harris is the eleventh player to leave by transfer, dismissal or did not qualify…