Bryce Harris never took the easy way out. While the transfer portal became college basketball’s version of free agency, he stayed at Howard for five years. Five years. That kind of loyalty is almost extinct in the sport now.
It paid off. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off an NBA title, signed Harris to a Summer League contract. The news was first reported by Dushawn London of 247 Sports. Harris worked out for the Thunder earlier this month and clearly left an impression.
Harris leaves Howard as the program’s all-time leading scorer in the Division I era. That’s not a small thing. He played in three NCAA Tournaments with the Bison, including back-to-back trips in 2023 and 2024. Howard basketball had never done that before Harris showed up.
Why He Stayed
After Howard punched its latest ticket to March Madness, Harris was asked why he never left. His answer was about more than basketball.
“Howard embraced me first as a young player,” Harris said. “But also as a young student, from the program to the yard, as we would like to call it, with our student body. There’s a lot of culture on Howard University’s campus that makes you proud to put the jersey on.”
That kind of talk sounds almost old-school now. But Harris walked it. He could have transferred to a bigger program for more exposure, maybe a better shot at the draft. He didn’t.
And he still went undrafted. That part isn’t surprising. HBCU players don’t always get the same looks. But Summer League is a different animal. It’s an open audition. If Harris plays well in Las Vegas, the Thunder could offer him a training camp invite, an Exhibit 10 deal, or a two-way contract. Worst case, he lands with the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate.
Another HBCU Player Getting a Shot
Harris isn’t the only former HBCU standout chasing an NBA roster spot this summer. Tennessee State’s Aaron Nkrumah also signed a Summer League deal. That’s two players from historically Black colleges getting real looks from NBA teams. It’s not a trend yet, but it’s something.
For the Thunder, this is a low-risk, high-reward move. They’ve built one of the deepest young rosters in the league. Adding a 6-foot-6 wing who can score and defend multiple positions fits their philosophy. Harris averaged 17.6 points and 6.1 rebounds last season. He shot 37 percent from three. Those numbers translate if the defense is there.
Summer League starts in early July. Harris will wear a Thunder jersey for the first time. He’ll be playing for more than a summer gig. He’ll be playing for a chance to join the defending champs.
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