Devin Harris

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Harris arrived in Dallas after a standout college career at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was named Big Ten Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American. The Mavs' original plan was to develop him slowly under the tutelage of Steve Nash, but Nash departed for the Phoenix Suns before Harris could learn from him. Despite this, Harris quickly adapted, ranking second in the NBA in steals per 48 minutes during his rookie season. His speed became his hallmark; he improved his jump shot and ability to split defenses, leading the Mavericks to the 2006 NBA Finals where they lost to the Miami Heat in six games. Midway through the 2007–08 season, Harris was averaging career highs of 14.4 points and 5.4 assists per game while serving as a co-captain alongside Dirk Nowitzki.

In Their Own Story

On December 19, after being traded to the New Jersey Nets earlier that year, Harris returned to Dallas for his first game at the Izod Center against his former team. In a masterful performance, he posted 41 points and a season-high 13 assists in a blowout victory, outplaying Jason Kidd, the player he was essentially traded for. As the game concluded, Nets fans chanted 'Thank you Cuban!' with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban sitting courtside. Later that season, on February 23, 2009, Harris made history with 'the Harris Heave,' a half-court buzzer-beating 47-foot shot against the Philadelphia 76ers to secure a 98–96 win. That same year, he earned his only NBA All-Star selection as a reserve.

Reader's Guide

Harris's tenure in Dallas was defined by two distinct eras: his initial development from 2004 to 2008 and his return from 2013 to 2018. Initially drafted fifth overall, he played a crucial role in the 2006 Finals run and helped the team set a franchise-record 67 wins in 2007 before an upset loss to the Golden State Warriors. After a three-year stint with the Nets where he averaged just under 17 points and 6 assists per game, Harris returned to Dallas in July 2013 on a one-year contract after initial plans were delayed by toe surgery. He re-signed in 2014 for four years, serving as a veteran leader off the bench behind Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis. In his first season back, he scored a season-high 20 points against Indiana and delivered impressive performances during a first-round playoff series loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Did You Know?

• Harris was named Wisconsin's 'Mr. Basketball' in 2001, edging out Travis Diener.
• During his rookie season with Dallas, Harris ranked 2nd in the NBA in steals per 48 minutes with 3.15.
• In a game against the Phoenix Suns on November 30, 2009, Harris scored 47 points, including 21 in both the first half and the fourth quarter.
• Harris converted a 47-foot half-court buzzer-beater known as 'the Harris Heave' to win a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 23, 2009.
• After being traded to the Nets, fans chanted 'Thank you Cuban!' during his return game to Dallas in December 2008.