Chipola College forward Johnnie Harris has signed a national letter of intent to play for the University of
New Mexico men's basketball team next season, coach Steve Alford said Wednesday.

Harris averaged 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Indians last season. Chipola, in Mariana, Fla., was the runner-up in the 2007 NJCAA Division I tournament.

"Johnnie is a winner and does everything he can to help his team get better," Alford said. "He is a big kid inside who can guard the post and is a great finisher. He has great hands and footwork and gives us a presence inside that we need."

"Johnnie is a really good fit for New Mexico. He will play a similar role there as he did for us here at Chipola. Assistant coach Billy Garrett did a great job of recruiting Johnnie," said Heiar.

Alford said Harris was a prep standout at Chicago Vocational High School, where he was one of the top 100 players in Illinois as a senior in 2004-05.