What is going on with Garfield grads playing basketball overseas? First Tre Simmons nearly gets blown up by a firecracker in Israel, now Tony Harris is missing in Brazil. 
A chilling column by the P-I's Robert Jamieson reveals that Harris, star of two Garfield High state championship teams and leader of Wazzu's mid-90s NCAA tourney run, hasn't been heard from since an ominous phone call to his pregnant wife. Writes Jamieson:
She last heard from him early Nov. 4, when he spoke to her, fear in his voice, from a Brazilian taxi driver's cell phone. Two days earlier, he called and said "he didn't feel safe and that if he didn't come home now, he wasn't going to make it home," she said.
Harris said her husband had expressed concerns about people involved with the team, and was hearing upsetting rumors about himself. The basketball team's organization, she said, apparently held his passport, and her husband was trying to get to another city in Brazil where a friend could help.
Good God. I can't really see the angle in--what--killing a pro basketball player? I'm going to hold out hope that Harris is involved in some bizarre cross-cultural misunderstanding.
One of my enduring sports memories is when, as an 8th grader, I went to Garfield's 1990 state semifinal game against Federal Way and future NBAer Donny Marshall. The game was delayed 30 minutes because Garfield had brought the wrong color uniforms.
Harris scored 23 points in the second-half of that game and Garfield won 64-58. His post-game quote gives you an idea of the confident player he was: "Donny tried to take me out of my game by talking to me. But I told him after the game nobody takes me out of my game by talking."
Good thoughts to Harris and his family.
8 comments:
My name is Starshea Harris, Tony is my brother the family would love to thank all that has been helping!!!
I think it is really unbelievable how slow to react everyone has been, authorities and even the media. Every moment counts in situations like this and yet everyone seems to be dragging their feet. It's very disappointing to say the least. My heart goes out to his entire family, but especially to his 14 year old son… a spitting image of Tony, honors student and incredible athlete.… and his wife, three weeks away from delivering. I pray Tony makes it home soon.
TONY HARRIS IS LOVED BY EVERYONE, HE'S A OUTSTANDING MAN,WE ARE PRAYING HARD TO BRING HIM BACK HOME ASAP,MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL HIS LOVE ONES. WE LOVE YOU TONY
FROM THE COMBS FAMILY
NICOLE COMBS
Tony has been and continues to be a lifelong friend of mine and I would like to extend my hearfelt thanks to all aiding in this uphill battle to find Tony.
DHenry..... Tony Harris is a good friend, he and I competed on the hardwood as well became friends in college as he was at WSU and I was at Idaho.. Tony is a roundball legend and an overall good person let's don't every forget him.. My prayers are with his family and wife and soon be born child. The Seattle community has lost a great one.
I miss the hell out of you Tony, i am so sorry to hear what has happened, there was media coverage until today. I hope this is just a bad dream, i am in total shock homeboy. I just can not believe it.
TO THE HARRIS FAMILY: Put your trust in *GOD* as he is the Alpha and the Omega, and he will deliver you this horrific time. He will put an end to those who are destroying his.
Tony was always happy with a GIGANTIC HEART, i could never see him committing suicide, this is a lie, has to be.
I will praying every moment of the day, until justice is done.
To the Harris Family - We are deeply saddened beyond words over the loss of Tony, a wonderful young man who touched all of our lives deeply. We valued him as our friend and an outstanding leader of our Golden Eagle Basketball Family. He was an unassuming young man who gave his all on and off the court while he was here in Twin Falls, Idaho playing for the College of Southern Idaho. He led us to greatness, but more important he made a difference simply by being himself - an outstanding young man! We want to do something for the family. Please let us know how to get in touch. Our prayers are with you.
My names is Marina i was Tony girlfriend for few years back in 2000 -2003 , we didn't spend a lot time together because he was in Brazil , but Tony was most amazing person i knew , kind and very honest , he love his son and family , i know he would never leave them this way , i still can't believe what happened, i want to say how sorry I'm .
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