MIKE Harris may be a beast inside the court, but he’s actually as meek as a lamb when not playing.
The do-it-all import has shown time and again that he has a soft spot in his heart for kids, who he is fond of treating to light meals or snack usually after every Alaska game in the PBA Governors Cup.
A photo of Harris that has since gone viral showed him with a number of children lining up to make their orders at a popular fast food chain.
Alaska sports development and public relations manager CK Kanapi-Daniolco related the kindness of the one-time Utah Jazz, who she described as very fond of kids.
“Even during our fans day, palagi siyang may kalaro na bata,” said the Alaska executive of Harris.
The 35-year-old Harris has three kids of his own, according to Daniolco.
Coach Alex Compton, meanwhile, said Harris' kindness is one of the reasons why he’s been trying to sign him up since becoming part of the Alaska coaching staff.
“He is a super person, one of the reasons I wanted to get him on our team for so long,” said Compton. “He really has a heart for people and wants to touch their lives.”
The Alaska coach added Harris has been doing the kind act on his own and without any fanfare.
“He is not the kind of guy who tries to promote every kind deed that he does,” he said.
Apart from his great compassion, Harris has also proven he can make a difference on the hardcourt as his superb plays has carried Alaska all the way to the semifinals of the season-ending meet.
His monster numbers of 31 points, 24 rebounds powered the Aces to a thrilling 104-102 win over the Meralco Bolts Thursday night, putting the team within a win of first finals appearance in two years.
Harris is also a strong contender for the Best Import plum along with Barangay Ginebra’s Justine Brownlee and the Bolts’ Allen Durham, the reigning two-time Best Import winner.
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