Harmon Ready to Start Again

Ike Harmon nearly had to forget about basketball this summer.

Most of his time was spent attending classes and studying to complete work for his degree in criminal justice at Cal State Fullerton.

“I couldn’t play in open gym because of conflicts with my classes,” Harmon said. “About the only time I could play was on weekends on the playground, and there wasn’t much competition for me there.”

But the layoff from basketball was worth it.

Harmon passed 21 units during the summer and, by earning his degree, regained the year of eligibility he lost as a freshman when he was a Proposition 48 nonqualifier. He had completed three units in the January period between semesters and 18 units in the spring semester.

He’s back playing basketball again, working on his conditioning and is eager for the start of preseason practice Saturday. The Titans play their season opener at home Nov. 8 against Simon Fraser.

“Now I can focus a lot more on basketball,” Harmon said. “And any time you get a second chance, you want to make the most of it. After all I’ve been through, it will be good to get back to it.”

Harmon, who led the Titans in scoring and rebounding last season, thinks the break during the summer might benefit him physically.

Harmon has been slowed at times by problems with his feet and ankles. He developed bunions on both big toes as a sophomore, and he had surgery after the season. A sprained ankle caused him trouble early in the 1998-99 season.

“It probably was good for my body to get some rest from basketball,” Harmon said. “I feel healthy now. My knees and ankles and feet are fine. I’m just not in as good shape as I want to be, but I’m slowly but surely getting back. I’ve been running, and working on my conditioning.”

Fullerton finished 8-19 last season, and Harmon is hoping for a better record this season.

“I felt so much pressure before, with school and playing basketball,” Harmon said. “I want to be able to enjoy basketball this season and have some fun with it.”

Harmon is taking classes this fall for a second major in kinesiology.