IN terms of production from a single player throughout the NZNBL competition this year, Manawatu Jets’ forward Hyrum Harris was next to no one in this respect. His triple-double against the Taranaki Mountain Airs on July 19 was the only triple-double for the entire duration of the season and just one example of his work ethic during his campaign. The rarity of this feat earns itself fifth spot on the countdown for Top 10 moments throughout the NZNBL season.

For the full match report between the Jets and the Airs – Click HERE

After being selected as a development player for the Illawarra Hawks in last year’s Australian NBL competition, Harris was a top prospect heading into the NZNBL’s draft night. Luckily enough for the Manawatu Jets, they snatched him up early in the second round next to Thomas Vodanovich, and they would not regret it.

From the beginning of the season, Harris quickly assumed the role of workhorse, as he secured double-digit rebounding numbers in three out of his four opening matches. However, the 24-year-old hit a bump in the road suffering a hip injury against the Canterbury Rams on July 1 sidelining him for almost three weeks.

Harris’s return to action came at an opportune time, as the Jets were in the midst of compiling a sizeable winning streak, looking to make it three in a row with a win over the Airs and make a claim as one of the elite sides in the League. From the get-go, Harris facilitated the ball well, finding Ashton McQueen for an easy layup and the Jets’ first score of the game. A solid first quarter for the youngster saw him head into the first break with four points, three assists and two rebounds as Manawatu trailed the Airs, 22-25.

A lone three-pointer for the Jet rounded out Harris’s scoring output for the second period, but a strong 32-23 second quarter for the side altered the scores dramatically, with Tim McTamney’s squad now leading 54-48 at half-time. An increases work rate in the second extended to Harris’s defence a lot more, accumulating seven points, six assists and five rebounds over 20 minutes of play. He also added a couple of blocks to his stat-line as he looked to finish off his comeback game with an even stronger second half.

It was clear that Harris focused more on scoring to start the third quarter, as over the next seven minutes of court time he found the net on numerous occasions. Leading into three-quarter time, he tripled his scoring total with the final quarter still to be played.

Harris amassed 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists over the duration of three terms and stood just a couple of rebounds and assists away from achieving the season’s first triple double.

Within just over a minute of the fourth quarter, Harris had his ninth rebound and ninth assist, after he found Taane Samuel down low for the spinning layup. Then another minute later, he secured his tenth rebound off a Derone Raukawa missed three-point attempt and it was only seven seconds later that Harris found a cutting Vodanovich to complete the feat, the league’s first triple double.

After securing the milestone, coach McTamney saw fit to take Harris out of the game. After reinserting Harris with just a few minutes to play to close out the contest, he converted on just one more basket and a free-throw to help his side over the line and defeat Taranaki with an impressive 118-103 scoreline.

As Harris led the way with an all-around 24-point, 10-rebound and 10-assist outing he could not have won his team the game without strong performances from his peers. Samuel was the next highest scorer, polishing off the Airs with 22 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Nelson Kirksey provided a major boost with 19 points off the bench. Other double-digit scorers included Vodanovich (17), Jayden Bezzant (12) and McQueen (12).