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Zion Harmon, Kentucky’s No. 1 hoops recruit, stays home at WKU
Zion Harmon, a top 20 Class of 2021 prospect and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Kentucky, stayed close to home when he committed to nearby Western Kentucky University. (Courtesy: Terry Birdsong)

Zion Harmon, Kentucky’s No. 1 hoops recruit, stays home at WKU

BENTON, Ky. (BVM) — While many big-name recruits tend to look outward when looking at programs, with many moving across the country to play for top programs like Duke, Michigan State and the like, Marshall County’s Zion Harmon took a more inward approach. Yes, he dabbled with the prospect of joining the legendary Kansas Jayhawks program and the idea of joining another strong team in Maryland, but when he announced his top seven schools a year ago, there was a certain theme that was clearly noticeable. 

Among Harmon’s top seven choices were four schools from the Commonwealth including powerhouses Kentucky and Louisville and smaller, but strong programs Murray State and Western Kentucky to go along with Kansas, Maryland and Seton Hall. While nobody could say for certain where the young phenom planned to go, it seemed on paper his heart was still very much tied to his Kentucky home.

“They’ve been pretty clear that they wanted to stay in Kentucky,” Marshall County High School basketball coach Terry Birdsong said.

So when it came time for Harmon, the state’s No. 1 recruit and No. 20 in the ESPN100 Class of 2021 rankings, to announce his collegiate decision, it came as no surprise to see a Kentucky-based team win out, though the program that did may have turned heads nationally. No, it was not the traditional national contender Wildcats. No, it wasn’t historically strong Louisville. It wasn’t even recent power and Ja Morant alma mater Murray State. It was the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers of Bowling Green, Ky.

What may come as a shock to spectators and analysts across the county, the decision didn’t surprise anyone who knows Harmon.

“I could see where it could be a big surprise nationally for people,” Birdsong said. “Having lived in Bowling Green and played at Bowling Green, I think there’s a trust factor there. I think Zion enjoyed his time at Bowling Green. … When he chose Western, I think nationally people were surprised, but I wasn’t really surprised.”

Western Kentucky head basketball coach Rick Stansbury was able to get close to Harmon way before he became a top-flight recruit. As an eighth grader playing for Bowling Green High School, Harmon helped lead the Purples to their first state championship in school history. That season, playing against people as much as five years older than him, Harmon averaged 16.8 points in helping the Purples to a 36-2 record, including a 29-game winning streak to close the season, and the title. In the title game, Harmon scored a team-high 18 points for the Purples.

Stansbury and the Hilltoppers became the first Division I program to offer the guard a scholarship that eighth grade season. It didn’t hurt that Harmon had already built a relationship with Stansbury’s two sons, younger son Noah who was in the same class as Harmon at Bowling Green Junior High School, and older son Isaac, who played on the same Purples team as Harmon. Although Harmon would leave Bowling Green for Adair County High School in  Columbia, Ky. for his freshman season, a strong bond was already established.

During his time in high school, Harmon did much of the same on the court as he did as an eighth grader–dominated. As a freshman at Adair, the young star averaged 32.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 7.8 assists helping the team to a 20-12 record. After transferring to Marshall County and missing his sophomore year due to transfer rules, Harmon picked up where he left off for the Marshals last season. Harmon averaged 25.4 points on 44.3% on the floor and 3.3 rebounds per game for Marshall County enroute to a 23-11 season and a one-point loss in the First Region championship.

Harmon was stellar for the Marshals last season averaging 25.4 points on 44.3% on the floor and 3.3 rebounds for Marshall County enroute to a 23-11 season. (Courtesy: Terry Birdsong)

“I’ve had some really good players and some college players, but he’s obviously at a different level skillset wise,” Birdsong said. “Having a player like that, you don’t have to coach. You can overcoach if you’re not careful. You put the ball in his hands and trust he’s going to share it.”

While there was some question as to if Harmon would play his final season at Marshall County, with rumors he could bypass the season due to the pandemic and instead register for the Class of 2020, it seems that won’t happen. Harmon is still projected to play for Marshall County where he will look to enter the Kentucky High School Athletic Association record books, expanding on his career points total of 2,425 to become one of just 35 state boys basketball players to surpass the 3,000-point threshold.

“I feel like, looking forward, we’re going to have a big year this year,” Birdsong said. “If Zion gets his normal 20-25 points a game, sometimes it’s hard for teams to outscore you.”

For the Hilltoppers, they will receive what is likely the program’s most-hyped recruit in recent memory. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound guard is a unanimous four-star prospect and considered among the top five guards in the nation. Additionally, Harmon has had experience playing against some of the country’s other top prospects for years having played for the Nike EYBL League, AAU’s Boo Williams Summer League and the Team USA U16 team. His Marshall County team has also embraced the idea of having a highly touted player, taking on nationally ranked opponents across the country more often to help with Harmon’s recruitment.

“For a public school, we’ve played as hard a two year schedule I think as anyone out here with Zion,” Birdsong said. “You want to play events where it showcases him, but you want to make sure your other kids can compete.”

https://twitter.com/zion_harmon/status/1245101088619089929

With all of his success at the prep level in the Commonwealth, Harmon will also certainly bring a lot of fanfare with him to Bowling Green. While there may be some added pressure with that, Harmon will just be happy to play in front of a home state crowd. Birdsong believes that although WKU may not receive the fanfare nationally, that won’t matter to Harmon’s future prospects or how well the team could be in the near future.

“I think he made a good decision,” Birdsong said. “I think he can be a really good player in Bowling Green at Western. Nowadays, if you’re good enough, they’re going to find you. If you have an opportunity to prove yourself, eventually you’re going to go as high as you can go.”