Sophomore sensation Kendre Harrison of Reidsville (N.C.) is called 2023-24 Nationwide Grid-Hoop Participant of the 12 months. He has an opportunity to go down as among the finest in U.S. historical past, however his story is much from completed.
Final December we honored NBA Corridor of Famer George McGinnis the week of his passing. The late McGinnis is not going to solely be remembered for his mild disposition, however for being among the finest Grid-Hoop (football-basketball combo) athletes in U.S. highschool historical past. McGinnis is acknowledged as the primary two-time Nationwide Grid-Hoop Participant of the 12 months by Ballislife.com throughout his time at Washington (Indianapolis) over 55 years in the past. Joe Girard III, who helped Clemson to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2024 and is at present on the Toronto Raptors’ summer season league crew, was additionally honored after his junior and senior marketing campaign at Glens Falls (N.Y.) 5 years in the past.
Which brings us to this yr’s honoree, Kendre Harrison of Reidsville (N.C.), a 6-foot-7, 240-pound menace at tight finish, defensive finish and energy ahead. Harrison’s exploits are unimaginable, however many know him for lately shattering two backboards inside three months and for assaulting the edges on the Nike EYBL 16U circuit with Crew CP3.
Harrison will now be simply as well-known for changing into the primary sophomore ever to be honored because the nation’s best football-basketball combo athlete. The all-time record dates again to the 1954-55 season and contains a number of the best athletes ever to grace highschool enjoying fields with lots of them happening to play within the NFL. Many recruiting consultants really feel Harrison has the form of potential to at some point be a part of that unique group who had been terrific at hoops and went on to the NFL.
Maybe no sophomore ever has been as extremely honored in each sports activities and it is unimaginable to assume Harrison nonetheless has two extra highschool years to develop and add to his spectacular resume. Scouring across the nation, there have been a few senior (class of 2024) standouts in each sports activities comparable to Terry Bussey of Timpson (Texas) and Caden Pinnick of Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.), however none gave the impression to be on the extent of the highest underclass decisions. Amongst juniors, C.J. Ingram of Hawthorne (Fla.) was extra explosive and arguably higher than all of the seniors, too, after main the Hornets to FHSAA Class 1A state titles in each sports activities as a quarterback and wing participant. He too has shined on the EYBL with the Florida Rebels 17U membership, however Harrison’s resume and accolades had been attained at the next degree of competitors.
In soccer, Harrison helped Reidsville seize the NCHSAA Class 2A crown by hauling in 62 receptions for 930 yards and 16 whole touchdowns for a 15-1 membership. On protection, the grid-hoop sophomore sensation was in on 70, tackles, together with 17 for loss, to associate with eight sacks, 30 quarterback hits, seven go breakups, two compelled fumbles and one fumble restoration.
