The Real Reason Blake Harris Quit on His Mizzou Teammates

When you start something, you finish it. Don’t quit in the middle. At least that’s what I was always taught.  

Blake Harris quit the Mizzou Men’s Basketball team, mid season, early January, right as conference play is starting. He’s the second guard to quit the team mid-season this year. 

So much for finishing what you started. 

If Harris had decided to transfer at the end of the year, I wouldn’t blame him. I think most reasonable people would agree with that statement. Sometimes students pick the wrong college. They transfer. It happens. 

But quitting in the middle? I’m sorry. Call me old school. But that’s just weak. If you don’t agree, keep reading. You might change your mind. 

I have a first hand source - someone inside the Mizzou basketball program - that told me the reason Harris quit was because he missed four practices over Christmas break, which (obviously - duhhhh) resulted in him losing playing time in the next game, which just so happened to be his “Homecoming” in front of family and friends. 

REMINDER. I’m not a reporter. I’m a basketball coach. 

So I’m not trying to get a “scoop” here. I’m just pointing out the facts of this situation. Harris didn’t come back from Christmas break on time, like the rest of his teammates. He missed four practices. He was “sick.” Okay. Whatever.

When Mizzou played their next game at South Carolina, the closest the Tigers play to Harris’s family all season, he didn’t start. He didn’t get as many minutes. 

So what did Harris do? He quit. 

There are two sides to every story. Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin has to also look in the mirrror. Two good players have left mid year. What could he have done differently? He better be asking himself that question, because the Tigers can’t afford to keep losing talent. 

But Harris is a quitter. Period. No matter his dislike for the coaching at Mizzou - and his obvious pouting over the consequences of him missing practice - he quit on his teammates. He is a quitter. 

Wherever Harris lands next, I hope he grows up. Because while his zip code and mascot and school colors might change, he is going to find the same problems wherever he lands next. Because I bet that next coach will also expect him to do silly things like show up for practice and work hard and get better. 

If he does grow up, maybe fans at that next school will remember Harris as a good player, a guy who came in and helped them win games. Mizzou fans? We will just remember Harris as a guy who quit on his teammates, a guy who couldn’t finish what he started. 

Moral of the story - If you start something, finish it. That’s a winning habit.

Thanks for reading. #JWT