Staten Island, NY - Head basketball coach Bashir Mason announced that former Top-100 recruit Jay Harris will transfer to Wagner from Valparaiso University. Harris played the last two years with the Crusaders and will sit out the 2012-2013 season per NCAA transfer rules. He will have two years of eligibility remaining beginning with the 2013-2014 season.

“We are excited to welcome Harris to our Wagner Basketball family,” said Mason. “Jay is a very talented player and has a good basketball IQ. He is a great fit for our program.”

Last year, Harris helped Valparaiso to a 22-12 record, the Horizon League Regular Season Championship and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). The Land of Lincoln native averaged 9.0 points per game off the bench, highlighted by a season-best 18-point effort against eventual Final 4 participant Ohio State. Harris also played an integral role in helping the Crusaders take all three meetings from two-time defending National Championship participant Butler.

As a freshman, he averaged 5.1 points per game in a reserve role, including a career-high 20 points against Iona in the First Round of the College Insider Tournament (CIT). Despite playing behind Brandon Wood, who capped his collegiate career as a starter on Michigan State's BIG 10 Championship squad last season, he was a regular rotation player while helping Valparaiso to a 23-12 record.

Arguably one of the most highly-sought recruits in Crusader history, Harris was tabbed as the 22nd-best point by ESPN.Com/Scout, Inc. in the class of 2010. A First Team All-State selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and a Second Team honoree by the Chicago Tribune, Harris averaged better than 28 points per game for Oswego East High School en route to garnering Southwest Prairie Conference Player of the Year accolades.

He also led the Wolves to 24 wins and their first-ever Regional Title, before concluding his prep career with appearances in the Chicago Classic and the IBCA All-Star Game.

Wagner returns nine letterwinners and four starters from last year's team, which won a school-record 25 games, including a historic win over No. 15 Pitt.

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