 PLAYER
PROFILE:
Chris Harper
Crusaders 2001/2002 American star Chris Harper is currently
playing his first season with Coventry and Warwickshire BUPA Crusaders, having signed from
Solent Stars during the summer.
You only have to listen to Chris for a short time before
you sense his enthusiasm and passion for the game of basketball, a game that he plays with
intensity and emotion.
The 39 year old American guard admits that his summer
signing at Coventry came after years of wanting to move to the Club, and would like to
stay with Crusaders until he retires.
Born in California, Chris started playing Basketball at the
age of 7 having been encouraged by his brother’s best friend.
From the very start he was hooked on the game that was to
become such a big part in his life and give him so many opportunities.
One of those opportunities he has had is to travel and
Chris has played basketball in both Germany and New Zealand.
He was taking part in trials in Israel when he picked up an
ankle injury that snatched away his chances to play there and forced him back on a plane
home to the States.
Chris had played college basketball while studying for his
degree in Speech and Community Relations at The University of Oregon.
But it was while teaching and coaching at the Foothill
Community Collage, nine years ago that Chris first got the call to cross the Atlantic and
play basketball in Britain.
A friend who, at the time was playing basketball in
Cardiff, put Chris's name forward to the Cardiff Coach, when his fellow American team mate
returned to the States.
The coach called Chris and sealed his services there and
then over the phone.
Chris arrived in Cardiff where he would play for the next
six years, where he and his family still live and where he works as a nurse in a
Psychiatric Hospital caring for patients with challenging behaviour.
Crusader fans will remember that Chris was part of the
Cardiff Heat team that faced Coventry Crusaders at Wembley on May 1st 1994 for the Play
Off Finals.
Unfortunately for Chris it was his team that went away
empty handed as Crusaders took the Victory and the Title 75-69.
After his six years playing in Cardiff, two of them seeing
Chris team up with his current team mate Richard Moses as co-managers, Chris moved south
to play two seasons with Solent Stars.
He became their player of the year for the 1999/2000
season, and during the same year, he again took part in another final, this time loosing
out to Teesside.
Off the court much of Chris's time is dedicated to his
three boys but he does like to unwind by listening to music or going fishing when time
allows.
However, with work, training and putting in a top
performance Chris is kept very busy.
Chris was taking part in the 2002 All Star Game this
weekend, some thing
that has become a bit of a tradition for him, as he has
never failed to be selected for the league's showcase event.
Again Crusader fan will remember the 2000 All Star game
played on Mothering Sunday at the Coventry Sports Centre, that saw the then Solent Star
Chris Harper play for the South in a borrowed Crusader kit having forgotten his own.
Chris scored 15 points that day in his Crusader vest.
A sign of what was to come!!
Chris is delighted to now have the opportunity to bring his
experience and enthusiasm to the Crusader Court.
He has a great scoring ability.
His season average so far is 15 points per game, with his
season best so far standing at 35 points against Plymouth in December.
Chris also has a masterful knack of steeling the ball off
his opponent, before they have even noticed him.
His goal now is to defend his and the Crusader's position
and secure a place in the 2001/2002 Play Off Finals.
Name: Chris Harper
Age: 39
Occupation: Psychiatric Nurse
Height: 6 ft 1"
Nickname: Harp
Former Clubs : University of
Oregon, New Zealand, Cardiff Phoenix, Solent Stars
Chris has played in every Division 1/
National Conference All Star game. |
