Prospect Introduction: Bryce Harrison (2023)

Sanford Seminole is going to be a true factor once again in Class 7A.

With a deep unit of athletes, there are some emerging young talents in place including 6'4", 205-pound forward Bryce Harrison.

The nephew of former NBA great and current TNT basketball analyst Shaquille O'Neal, Harrison is fresh off his debut middle school season at Sanford Middle.

"We had a great season, losing in the Final Four to Lawton Chiles," Harrison told Prep Hoops. "We had a really good team and I'm going to miss some of my friends and Coach Barbarino."

In terms of his biggest growth since his 8th grade season, Harrison said it has come with his body.

"I lost 30 lbs. over the last year and that helped me be more aggressive on the floor. So, I would say my conditioning was my biggest growth. As a freshman this year my goal is to try and help my team win," he said. "Just do little things like rebound, dive for loose balls and cheer my teammates on. I think we're going to have a really good team and we have a great coach in Coach ( Sylvester) Wynn."

As for his recruitment, he says he has three offers for basketball and two for football (he plays defensive end and tight end).

" I'm not allowed to name the schools that offered because it's a family rule that we don't discuss that because it's so early," Harrison said. "A lot of the coaches love my fundamentals, my attitude and the way I shoot and rebound the ball."

This summer, Harrison split his time between Nightrydas Elite, True Ballers and Georgia Stars.

"I've played with True Ballers the most. They are my dad's team that he put together and we were good. We won three state championships and two national championships," he said. "Playing for my dad, he teaches you to go hard and take no shortcuts. You have to run and play defense."

He pointed to his basketball IQ as his top strength. He also said he wants to improve his overall ballhandling. 

I come from a basketball family so I've been around the game my whole life.

Harrison started playing basketball in the second grade and says he's always played up with the 2022 class as he took in the game sitting and learning.

His dad, mom, uncle and grandma are all huge factors in his basketball life and progress.

"My dad was one of the top point guards in the country back in his day at 6'7 and he works with me and tries to help me. My mom helps me too. She was really good," Harrison said. "My uncle helps me alot with my game. He always tells me to be patient and to not rush anything. He gives me a workout task to do and what to work on. Actually my grandma (Lucille) helps me a lot. She used to be really good. She comes to all my games and she tells me what to work on. She knows the game and she helps me."

He said his uncle Shaq has taught him quite a bit on and off the court.

"On the court, the biggest lesson my uncle teaches me is to have fun out there. Have fun and give 100 percent effort. He thinks I'm right where I need to be right now," Harrison said. "He says to not get caught up in recruiting and rankings or none of that stuff and to just have fun. My grandma and my mom have a no pass, no play rule. If I get anything less than a B I cant play anything."

Next March, he'll suit up for the Belize National team in the FIBA games in El Salvador. After that in May, he'll play in the Central American Games.

"I got invited to play for the Belize National team. My dad is from Belize and that's where our summer house is. Being there and just playing and watching my cousins who play on the pro teams over there I got a chance to play pick up with them during the summer," Harrison said. "The coach was there and asked me how old I was and at the time ( I was 13) and he gave me the opportunity to play for the country and I jumped on it. I think that's going to be a great experience for me.

..."My mom, dad uncle's, aunt's, grandma and grandpa all support me and said when I play for the country they will not miss a game. It's always good when you have family support. I'm excited to travel the world and play basketball. That's going to be awesome."

Harrison will be a piece of the puzzle for Seminole this season and his dedication to the game and overall knowledge will be a key factor. Look for him to have an instant impact whenever he gets time on the floor. Expect a fun season for Seminole all around.