JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Former Gatlinburg-Pittman standout Haris Price has decided to transfer from Lee to Carson-Newman for the 2016-17 season and be eligible for three years beginning in the fall.
"We are excited to add Haris to what we feel like is an already very solid class," Carson-Newman coach Mike Mincey said. "Haris is another local player we offered out of high school that has ultimately decided to get back closer to family and friends and compete with many players on our roster that she knows and is comfortable with. Haris is so tough to guard because of her ability to get by defenders off the dribble and the ability to shoot 3's if players don't honor her outside shot."
Price was named the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year in her one season with the Flames after averaging 10.6 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 1.5 steals per game and 2.4 rebounds per night in 29.2 minutes of action.
One of the highlights of her season came on Feb. 20 when she hit the game-winning lay-up as time expired to down Delta State 54-53. Price's season-high point total came on Dec. 12 when she scored 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting against West Florida.
Overall, Price scored in double figures 15 times in 30 contests. On Dec. 19, she dished out a season-high 10 assists against Alabama Huntsville. Price finished the season ranked fifth in the league in assists average while finishing 18th in points per game.
In high school, Price was a first-team All-PrepXtra selection and the District 3-AA MVP as a senior averaging 18.6 points per game, 7.9 assists per night, 6.1 steals and 4.6 rebounds per game helping her group advance to the Class AA state sectional.
As a junior, the Gatlinburg, Tenn. native posted 16.5 points per night, 5.6 assists per game and 3.2 steals per contest.
She will join a Carson-Newman team that is coming off of a program record in made three-pointers with 216 while leading the South Atlantic Conference in scoring offense (71.6) and assists per game (15.3).
"I prefer scoring point guards and that's exactly what Haris can give us, but she is also a great passer averaging over four assists a game last year. With the addition of Haris, we feel very good about our depth at the point guard position and feel like Haris will fit in nicely with our style of play."
Price joins a quartet of Volunteer State natives in Western Carolina transfer Mike Wester (Cocke County High), Chanler Geer (Bearden High School), Tori Griffin (Jefferson County High) and Madison Brantley (Union County) as newcomers to the 2016-2017 roster.
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