Tyrell Harrison
{{Short description|Basketball player (born 1999)}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Tyrell Harrison
| image =
| caption =
| position = Center
| height_cm = 214
| weight_kg = 115
| league = Baloncesto Superior Nacional
| team = Indios de Mayagüez
| number = 24
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1999|7|6}}
| birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| nationality = Australian / New Zealand
| high_school = John Paul College
(Brisbane, Queensland)
| career_start = 2017
| years1 = 2017–2018
| team1 = South West Metro Pirates
| years2 = 2017–present
| team2 = Brisbane Bullets
| years3 = 2019
| team3 = Nelson Giants
| years4 = 2020
| team4 = Southern Districts Spartans
| years5 = 2023
| team5 = Franklin Bulls
| years6 = 2024
| team6 = Manawatu Jets
| years7 = 2024
| team7 = Southern Districts Spartans
| years8 = 2025–present
| team8 = Indios de Mayagüez
| highlights =
- NBL Most Improved Player (2025)
- NBL1 North First Team (2024)
- NZNBL Youth Player of the Year (2019)
}}
Tyrell Harrison (born 6 July 1999) is an Australian-New Zealand professional basketball player for Indios de Mayagüez of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. He is also contracted with the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL). He represents New Zealand in international basketball competitions.
Early life
Harrison was born in Brisbane, Queensland, to a father from New Zealand.{{cite web |title=Tyrell Harrison |url=https://nbl.com.au/player/3709/692055/tyrell-harrison |website=NBL |access-date=November 4, 2024 |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130190742/https://nbl.com.au/player/3709/692055/tyrell-harrison |url-status=live }} Growing up in Regents Park,{{cite news |last1=Cormack |first1=Michael |title=Logan teen Tyrell Harrison impresses on Brisbane Bullets debut in front of home crowd |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/logan-teen-tyrell-harrison-impresses-on-brisbane-bullets-debut-in-front-of-home-crowd/news-story/074c5bd368aed033fe5939a955762172 |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=couriermail.com.au |date=27 September 2017}} his father ensured Māori culture was prevalent for Harrison and his older brother as youths. Harrison loved rugby union and supported the All Blacks.
Harrison played basketball at the Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre and attended John Paul College in Brisbane.
Professional career
= Brisbane Bullets =
Harrison joined the Brisbane Bullets of the National Basketball League (NBL) as a development player for the 2017–18 season. He made his NBL debut in September 2017. In his first three NBL seasons, he appeared in just 17 games.
In the 2020–21 NBL season, Harrison appeared in all 36 games for the Bullets, averaging 5.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. In the 2021–22 NBL season, Harrison increased his minutes and on-court production, but ultimately succumbed to an elbow injury late in the season.{{cite news |title=Bullet Big Reveals Career-Saving Surgery |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bullet-big-reveals-career-saving-surgery |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=25 November 2022}} He averaged 6.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 17 games.
In the 2022 off-season, Harrison underwent elbow surgery after battling through pain over the previous two seasons that had been caused by a stress fracture.
In the 2022–23 NBL season, Harrison averaged 5.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16 games while shooting 82% from the field.{{cite news |title=Tyrell Harrison re-signs to continue Bullets journey |url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/tyrell-harrison-re-signs-to-continue-bullets-journey |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=Brisbane Bullets {{!}} Official NBL Website |date=6 March 2023 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121071954/https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/tyrell-harrison-re-signs-to-continue-bullets-journey |url-status=live }} He was ruled out for six weeks in late November 2022 with a knee injury.{{cite news |title=Bullets Lose Key Big Men |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-lose-key-big-men |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=26 November 2022 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121072409/https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-lose-key-big-men |url-status=live }}
On 6 March 2023, Harrison re-signed with the Bullets on a two-year deal. He participated in all but one game in the 2023–24 NBL season, averaging 9.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks, establishing himself as the starting center.{{cite news |title=Tyrell Harrison Extends Contract With Brisbane Bullets For Two Years |url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/tyrell-harrison-extends-contract-with-brisbane-bullets-for-two-years |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=Brisbane Bullets {{!}} Official NBL Website |date=29 September 2024 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121070614/https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/tyrell-harrison-extends-contract-with-brisbane-bullets-for-two-years |url-status=live }}
On 29 September 2024, Harrison signed a two-year contract extension with the Bullets. Coming into the 2024–25 NBL season, Harrison was named the most valuable player of the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament.{{cite news |title=Tyrell Harrison named Blitz MVP |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/tyrell-harrison-named-blitz-mvp |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=13 September 2024}}{{cite news |title=Harrison shines for unbeaten Bullets at NBL Blitz |url=https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/41254662/tyrell-harrison-shines-unbeaten-brisbane-bullets-nbl-blitz |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=14 September 2024 |language=en |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121074112/https://www.espn.com/nbl/story/_/id/41254662/tyrell-harrison-shines-unbeaten-brisbane-bullets-nbl-blitz |url-status=live }} On 12 October 2024, he recorded 21 points and 17 rebounds (12 offensive) in an 87–85 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix.{{cite news |title=Bullets prevail to send Phoenix to 0-5 |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/bullets-prevail-to-send-phoenix-to-0-5 |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=12 October 2024}} His 12 offensive rebounds set the record for the most ever by a player in a 40-minute NBL game.{{cite news |last1=Pike |first1=Chris |title=Schueller proud of Bullets for self-reflection |url=https://authory.com/ChrisPike/Schueller-proud-of-Bullets-for-self-reflection-a401fbae35ae5409f8866bfb53d3c1701 |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=authory.com |date=14 October 2024 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121072622/https://authory.com/ChrisPike/Schueller-proud-of-Bullets-for-self-reflection-a401fbae35ae5409f8866bfb53d3c1701 |url-status=live }} On 6 December, he recorded 19 points and 18 rebounds in a 102–83 win over the Adelaide 36ers.{{cite news |title=Prather, Harrison star in Bullets' win |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/prather-harrison-star-in-bullets-win |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=6 December 2024 |archive-date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206125531/https://nbl.com.au/news/prather-harrison-star-in-bullets-win |url-status=live }} He suffered a head knock in early January 2025 and missed the rest of the season with post-concussion symptoms.{{cite news |title=Callum Dalton Returns as Concussion Replacement for Tyrell Harrison |url=https://www.brisbanebullets.com.au/news/callum-dalton-returns-as-concussion-replacement-for-tyrell-harrison |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=Brisbane Bullets {{!}} Official NBL Website |date=24 January 2025}} He was named the NBL Most Improved Player for the 2024–25 season.{{cite news |title=Cotton wins 5th MVP |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/cotton-wins-5th-mvp |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=NBL Official Website |date=10 February 2025}}
= QBL/NBL1 North, New Zealand NBL, and Puerto Rico =
In 2017, Harrison debuted in the Queensland Basketball League (QBL) for the South West Metro Pirates. He continued with the Pirates in the 2018 QBL season.{{cite web |title=Tyrell Harrison, Basketball Player, News, Stats - australiabasket |url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Tyrell-Harrison/438663 |website=Eurobasket LLC |access-date=21 November 2024 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514091946/https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Tyrell-Harrison/438663 |url-status=live }}
Harrison joined the Nelson Giants of the New Zealand NBL for the 2019 season, where he averaged 13.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 18 games. He was subsequently named the NZNBL Youth Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.nznbl.basketball/seasons-best-celebrated-at-annual-awards/|title=SEASON'S BEST CELEBRATED AT ANNUAL AWARDS|work=nznbl.basketball|date=19 July 2019|accessdate=19 July 2019|archive-date=19 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719120439/https://www.nznbl.basketball/seasons-best-celebrated-at-annual-awards/|url-status=dead}}
In 2020, Harrison played for the Southern Districts Spartans in the Queensland State League (QSL).{{cite web |title=2020 QSL Teams – Southern Districts Spartans |url=https://basketballqld.com.au/2020-qsl-teams-southern-districts-spartans/ |website=basketballqld.com.au |access-date=21 November 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920082612/https://basketballqld.com.au/2020-qsl-teams-southern-districts-spartans/ |archive-date=20 September 2020}}
Harrison joined the Franklin Bulls for the 2023 New Zealand NBL season{{cite news |last1=Hinton |first1=Marc |title=Tyrell Harrison standing tall for Franklin Bulls through impressive start to NBL |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300858513/tyrell-harrison-standing-tall-for-franklin-bulls-through-impressive-start-to-nbl |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=20 April 2023 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425053502/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/300858513/tyrell-harrison-standing-tall-for-franklin-bulls-through-impressive-start-to-nbl |url-status=live }} but injury restricted him to just seven games while averaging 14.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.{{cite news |title=Kiwi Ballers Worldwide - Men & Women in Australia (23-24) {{!}}Basketball New Zealand |url=https://nz.basketball/kiwi-ballers-worldwide-men-women-in-australia-23-24/ |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=nz.basketball |date=6 December 2023 |language=en-AU}}
Harrison began the 2024 New Zealand NBL season with the Manawatu Jets{{cite news |last1=Heagney |first1=George |title=Changes to Manawatū Jets squad as NBL gets under way |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350228936/changes-manawatu-jets-squad-nbl-gets-under-way |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=30 March 2024 |archive-date=21 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121065030/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350228936/changes-manawatu-jets-squad-nbl-gets-under-way |url-status=live }} before joining the Southern Districts Spartans of the NBL1 North for the rest of the 2024 NBL1 season. With the Spartans, he averaged 23.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, earning selection to the NBL1 North First Team.{{cite web|url=https://nbl1.com.au/article/2024-nbl1-awards-tracker|title=2024 NBL1 Awards Tracker|work=NBL1.com.au|date=22 July 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821033349/https://nbl1.com.au/article/2024-nbl1-awards-tracker|archive-date=21 August 2024}}
In March 2025, Harrison joined Indios de Mayagüez of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional for the 2025 season.{{cite news |last1=Modestti |first1=Luis |title=Mayagüez announces their import trio for 2025 |url=https://www.latinbasket.com/Puerto-Rico/news/911067/Mayag%C3%BCez-announces-their-import-trio-for-2025 |access-date=11 March 2025 |work=latinbasket.com |date=8 January 2025}}{{cite news |title=Indios dominan a Santeros en noche inaugural |url=https://www.bsnpr.com/indios-dominan-a-santeros-en-noche-inaugural/ |access-date=16 March 2025 |work=bsnpr.com |date=15 March 2025 |language=Spanish}}
National team career
In 2017, Harrison played for the Australian University National Team at the World University Games in Taiwan.{{cite news |last1=Hickey |first1=Matt |title=Rising NBL and NCAA stars named as Emerging Boomers |url=https://pickandroll.com.au/p/rising-nbl-ncaa-stars-named-emerging-boomers |access-date=21 November 2024 |work=pickandroll.com.au |date=22 June 2017 |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240623073840/https://pickandroll.com.au/p/rising-nbl-ncaa-stars-named-emerging-boomers |url-status=live }}
After high school, Harrison switched allegiances to play for the New Zealand Tall Blacks. He played for the Tall Blacks during 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, 2022 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, and at the 2024 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece.{{cite web |title=Tyrell Harrison , (New Zealand) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/252580-tyrell-harrison |website=www.fiba.basketball |access-date=21 November 2024 |language=en |date=21 November 2024}}
NBL statistics
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Player Statistics by Season ! Season !! Games Played !! Minutes Per Game !! FG% !! FT% !! Rebounds Per Game !! Assists Per Game !! Steals Per Game !! Blocks Per Game !! Turnovers Per Game !! Fouls Per Game !! Points Per Game | |||||||||||
| 2024-2025 | 10 | 26.0 | 57 | 75 | 9.1 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 12.9 |
| 2023-2024 | 27 | 20.9 | 59 | 64 | 6.2 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 9.6 |
| 2022-2023 | 16 | 13.0 | 82 | 80 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 5.0 |
| 2021-2022 | 17 | 19.6 | 51 | 72 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| 2020-2021 | 36 | 17.1 | 54 | 77 | 5.9 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 5.2 |
| 2019-2020 | 6 | 3.1 | 50 | 100 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| 2018-2019 | 6 | 1.9 | 75 | 0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.0 |
| 2017-2018 | 5 | 1.3 | 50 | 0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
Personal life
Harrison's family hail from the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand, with roots in the Ngāti Porou and Ngāpuhi iwi.
Harrison and his partner, fellow basketball player Kalani Purcell, had their first child in 2023.{{cite web|last=Tailor|first=Leena|url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/parenting/pregnancy-birth/basketball-stars-tyrell-and-kalani-expecting-baby-girl-47050|title=Basketball stars Tyrell and Kelani's baby joy|work=nowtolove.co.nz|date=18 May 2023|access-date=31 May 2023|archive-date=31 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531042345/https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/parenting/pregnancy-birth/basketball-stars-tyrell-and-kalani-expecting-baby-girl-47050|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://nbl.com.au/player/3709/692055/tyrell-harrison NBL profile]
- {{FIBA|new_id=252580-tyrell-harrison}}
{{Brisbane Bullets current roster}}
{{NBL Most Improved Players}}
{{New Zealand NBL Youth Players of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Tyrell}}
Category:Australian men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Brisbane
Category:Brisbane Bullets players
Category:Franklin Bulls players
Category:Indios de Mayagüez basketball players
Category:Manawatu Jets players
Category:Nelson Giants players
Category:New Zealand men's basketball players
Category:People educated at John Paul College (Brisbane)