Boo Harvey
Encyclopedia
Greg "Boo" Harvey is an American
former basketball player who is best known for his collegiate career at St. John's University between 1987–88 and 1989–1990. He starred as the point guard
for the Redmen
, and as a senior
was the recipient of both the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
and Haggerty Award
.
(AAU) circuit, and at Andrew Jackson High School
. Harvey started as a freshman
, and in his four-year career he led AJHS to an 88–7 record. They reached the city finals three times and were champions once. Harvey averaged 38 points per game as a senior in 1984–85 and finished his career with a school record 2,039 points. This record cannot be broken due to Andrew Jackson High School's closure in 1994.
to play basketball. His poor academic performance, however, prevented him from being allowed to enroll. In order to boost his grades to qualify for academic eligibility, Harvey decided to play junior college basketball at San Jacinto College
in Pasadena
, Texas
.
In his two seasons at San Jacinto, a national powerhouse in men's basketball, the team won back-to-back Region XIV titles and compiled an overall record of 73–1. In 1985–86, Harvey's freshman year, they became the fourth team in NJCAA history to go undefeated and win the national championship.
at the point guard
position. By the time he returned in 1987, the Redmen had a spot available for him, so he jumped on the opportunity.
Harvey started as a junior
in 1987–88. He averaged 11.9 and 4.8 assists in 27 games played, but failed to show any shooting range, connecting on only 15-of-39 three-point attempts. Harvey did not thrive playing in a half-court offense, something he later said he found difficult to do.
In what should have been his senior season in 1988–89, Harvey was forced to sit out due to academic ineligibility from the year before. He was also suspended for one game by the NCAA for playing in an unsanctioned summer league game. A referee was killed by a player toward the end of that game over a disputed call. Despite being forced to miss the season, Harvey retained his NCAA athlete eligibility to finish his career the following year. He also credited his year off as a catalyst for his understanding of how to run a half-court offense by being forced to watch it daily.
Entering his final season in 1989–90, Harvey was Sport Magazines 12th-ranked senior point guard in the country. Towards the end of the season, however, he had climbed as high as third on the list. When fellow senior teammate Jayson Williams
went down with an injury, Harvey stepped up and averaged 23.4 points and shot 20-of-44 from three-point range. Earlier in the season, he hit three buzzer-beating, game-winning shots: beating DePaul
, 55–54 on November 22; beating Georgetown 63–62 on February 21; and beating Pittsburgh
, 76–75 on February 26. He also increased his scoring average to 16.5 points while leading the Redmen to a 24–10 overall record. They made it to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament
before losing to Duke
. Harvey was honored with both the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
, which is given to the best men's basketball player who is or shorter, and the Haggerty Award
, given to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City area.
Despite a standout college career, Harvey was never drafted
to the National Basketball Association
, nor did he ever make a final roster.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former basketball player who is best known for his collegiate career at St. John's University between 1987–88 and 1989–1990. He starred as the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
for the Redmen
St. John's Red Storm men's basketball
The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team represents the St. John's University in Queens, New York. The team participates in the Big East Conference. The men’s coach Norm Roberts was fired on March 19, 2010...
, and as a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
was the recipient of both the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is an annual college basketball award in the United States intended to honor shorter–than–average players who excel on the court despite their size. The award, named in honor of James Naismith's daughter–in–law, was established for men in 1969 and for women in 1984...
and Haggerty Award
Haggerty Award
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I men's college basketball player of the year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association...
.
Early life
Harvey was born in Queens, New York. He made a name for himself on the courts in New York City, throughout the Amateur Athletic UnionAmateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
(AAU) circuit, and at Andrew Jackson High School
Andrew Jackson High School (Queens, New York)
Andrew Jackson High School is a defunct comprehensive high school in the Cambria Heights section in southeastern Queens, New York. The school was opened in 1937. However, the city closed down the school in 1994...
. Harvey started as a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
, and in his four-year career he led AJHS to an 88–7 record. They reached the city finals three times and were champions once. Harvey averaged 38 points per game as a senior in 1984–85 and finished his career with a school record 2,039 points. This record cannot be broken due to Andrew Jackson High School's closure in 1994.
San Jacinto
After high school, Harvey wanted to attend Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
to play basketball. His poor academic performance, however, prevented him from being allowed to enroll. In order to boost his grades to qualify for academic eligibility, Harvey decided to play junior college basketball at San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is a community college in the Greater Houston area in the U.S. state of Texas. Established in 1961, San Jacinto College originally consisted of the areas of Channelview ISD, Deer Park ISD, Galena Park ISD, La Porte ISD, and Pasadena ISD. The College now also serves Sheldon ISD,...
in Pasadena
Pasadena, Texas
Pasadena is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. It is the second-largest city in Harris County, 17th-largest in Texas, and 162nd largest in the United States. The area was founded in 1893 by John H. Burnett of Galveston....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
In his two seasons at San Jacinto, a national powerhouse in men's basketball, the team won back-to-back Region XIV titles and compiled an overall record of 73–1. In 1985–86, Harvey's freshman year, they became the fourth team in NJCAA history to go undefeated and win the national championship.
St. John's
After his stint in Texas, Harvey went back to Queens in 1987. He said that the time spent away from home made homesick, which is why he decided to attend St. John's University instead of Syracuse. The school is located in Queens, making the decision easy for him. Harvey also admitted that St. John's did not recruit him while he was in high school because they already had Mark JacksonMark Jackson (basketball)
Mark A. Jackson is a retired American professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He played point guard for the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets in the NBA in a career...
at the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
position. By the time he returned in 1987, the Redmen had a spot available for him, so he jumped on the opportunity.
Harvey started as a junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
in 1987–88. He averaged 11.9 and 4.8 assists in 27 games played, but failed to show any shooting range, connecting on only 15-of-39 three-point attempts. Harvey did not thrive playing in a half-court offense, something he later said he found difficult to do.
In what should have been his senior season in 1988–89, Harvey was forced to sit out due to academic ineligibility from the year before. He was also suspended for one game by the NCAA for playing in an unsanctioned summer league game. A referee was killed by a player toward the end of that game over a disputed call. Despite being forced to miss the season, Harvey retained his NCAA athlete eligibility to finish his career the following year. He also credited his year off as a catalyst for his understanding of how to run a half-court offense by being forced to watch it daily.
Entering his final season in 1989–90, Harvey was Sport Magazines 12th-ranked senior point guard in the country. Towards the end of the season, however, he had climbed as high as third on the list. When fellow senior teammate Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams
Jayson Williams is an American former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association. In 2010, he pled guilty to assault in the shooting death of a limousine driver...
went down with an injury, Harvey stepped up and averaged 23.4 points and shot 20-of-44 from three-point range. Earlier in the season, he hit three buzzer-beating, game-winning shots: beating DePaul
DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball
The DePaul Blue Demons Men's Basketball program is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois...
, 55–54 on November 22; beating Georgetown 63–62 on February 21; and beating Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
, 76–75 on February 26. He also increased his scoring average to 16.5 points while leading the Redmen to a 24–10 overall record. They made it to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament
1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 15, 1990, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in Denver, Colorado...
before losing to Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
. Harvey was honored with both the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
The Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award is an annual college basketball award in the United States intended to honor shorter–than–average players who excel on the court despite their size. The award, named in honor of James Naismith's daughter–in–law, was established for men in 1969 and for women in 1984...
, which is given to the best men's basketball player who is or shorter, and the Haggerty Award
Haggerty Award
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I men's college basketball player of the year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association...
, given to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City area.
Despite a standout college career, Harvey was never drafted
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
to the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
, nor did he ever make a final roster.