He was one of the top high school basketball players in the country. After that, it was on to Georgetown, a perennial collegiate powerhouse. The next stop was the biggest -- the NBA. Othella Harrington realized his dream, but that doesn't mean it was an easy ride. And now, the big man is back where it all started as an assistant coach with the Hoyas.
The Beginning
No offense to the state of Mississippi, but it's not what you'd call a sports hotbed. You have to be an exceptional athlete to attract national attention, and Othella Harrington fit that profile. Not only was the 6-foot-10 center from Jackson Murrah High School twice voted Mississippi high school player of the year, Harrington was named MVP in the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game after scoring 19 points and pulling down 21 rebounds. Drawing interest from collegiate powerhouses across the country, Harrington eventually settled on Georgetown.
Hanging With the Hoyas
When Harrington signed with Georgetown, he was expected to follow in the footsteps of star centers like Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning. While he never quite hit those heights, Harrington delivered four solid seasons with the Hoyas and departed as the school's all-time leader in offensive rebounds with 393. The big man still ranks fifth in the school's history in scoring (1,839 points) and blocked shots (201), and Harrington is fourth in total rebounds with 983.
On to the NBA
Considering his accomplishments at Georgetown, Harrington figured to be a first-round pick in the 1996 NBA draft. He was close, going to the Houston Rockets with first pick of the second round. He played 12 years in the NBA for the Rockets, Grizzlies, Knicks, Bulls and Hornets. He was a solid player, averaging 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Harrington also made it to the playoffs five times, including his first three seasons with Houston.
Back Where It Began
In May 2011, Harrington returned to his alma mater and will serve as an assistant coach for Georgetown under John Thompson III. While wearing a Hoyas uniform, Harrington played for Thompson's father, John Thompson II. "Othella is a Hoya coming home to help teach the newest generation of Hoyas," Thompson III said on the school's website. "He brings a wealth of experience accumulated on and off the court over his career." That's for sure, and now Harrington is looking to pass it on.
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