NICKNAME/S: H

BIO: Hyrum Harris was born in Auckland (NZ) and raised in Hamilton.

A crafty left-hander who can score inside the paint and outside the arc, while also being a force on the defensive end while playing at either forward spot.

FAMILY: Harris is the son of Allies Evans and Reuben Harris.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Hyrum Harris made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 23 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

After finishing seventh with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Illawarra entered the new campaign under first-year head coach Matt Flinn. Kevin White (to Adelaide), Brian Conklin, Jordair Jett and Cedric Jackson departed, while the Hawks added former NBA guard Aaron Brooks, Next Star LaMelo Ball, Josh Boone (via Melbourne), Sunday Dech (via Perth) and Sam Froling (via Creighton) around returning players Todd Blanchfield and AJ Ogilvy.

Hyrum Harris joined Illawarra in September as a development player, earning his first opportunity in the NBL.

He made his NBL debut against South East Melbourne on October 19, scoring 2 points and collecting 1 rebound in just over a minute as Illawarra lost 106-102. Brooks (23 points and 5 assists) and Tim Coenraad (16 points and 5 rebounds) led the Hawks, while John Roberson (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Mitch Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) led the Phoenix.

Harris (2.6 points across 16 games) remained a development player throughout the season and moved in and out of Illawarra’s game-day rotation rather than missing games because of a reported injury.

His best game of the season came in Adelaide on December 20, where Harris made 3-of-4 shots and finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in 13 minutes as Illawarra defeated the 36ers 93-84. Dech (18 points and 2 steals) and Coenraad (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Hawks, while Jerome Randle (26 points and 6 assists) was Adelaide’s best.

Illawarra’s season was heavily impacted by injuries, with Brooks (17.9 points and 4.1 assists across 7 games) tearing his Achilles in October and Ball (17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 12 games) bruising his foot in practice in December and missing the remainder of the season. Darington Hobson (5.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.3 steals across 13 games) was added as an injury replacement, while Billy Preston (6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 3 games) also joined briefly before being released after three appearances.

Blanchfield (13.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 28 games) became Illawarra’s leading scorer and won the Hawks’ MVP award for the second consecutive season, while Dech (9.2 points and 3.7 rebounds across 27 games), Ogilvy (8.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 26 games), Boone (8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 24 games) and Coenraad (8.1 points across 28 games) were the Hawks’ other major contributors. Ball was named NBL Rookie of the Year.

“Success is measured in different ways. While we’re not happy with our record, we’re proud of the progress made and the exposure brought to the club,” Flinn said on the challenging season.

Harris appeared in Illawarra’s final game against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 14, finishing with 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in nine minutes. Dech (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Angus Glover (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Hawks, while Jae’Sean Tate (19 points and 5 rebounds) led Sydney to a 98-82 victory as Illawarra finished ninth with a 5-23 record and ten consecutive losses.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2020/21
The Taipans’ season was heavily disrupted by injuries and coach Mike Kelly never had his entire roster available for a game. Majok Deng suffered a partial tear of the MCL in his left knee on February 24 and was ruled out for at least six weeks, while Kouat Noi suffered a PCL injury that ultimately ended his season.

With both forwards unavailable, Hyrum Harris (via Illawarra) signed with Cairns as a nominated injury replacement player on April 2. Harris had spent the previous season as a development player with the Hawks and most recently averaged 15.1 points and 11.7 rebounds for Manawatu in the NZNBL. Cairns signed him specifically to provide additional depth while Noi was expected to remain sidelined for up to another 11 weeks and Deng was still three to four weeks away from returning.

He made his only appearance against South East Melbourne at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on April 25, playing 1:13 without recording a point, rebound, assist, steal or block as the Phoenix defeated Cairns 86-66. Venky Jois (12 points and 8 rebounds), Mojave King (11 points and 7 rebounds) and Tad Dufelmeier (11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Taipans, while Cameron Gliddon (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals), Reuben Te Rangi (13 points) and Kyle Adnam (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led South East Melbourne.

Harris (0 points across 1 game) did not miss games through an injury of his own. His Cairns role was temporary and injury-related to the Taipans’ depleted roster.

Cairns continued to battle injuries and roster losses after Harris returned home. Cameron Oliver (17.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 24 games) left in April to return to the United States for personal reasons and support his wife during her pregnancy before later signing with the Houston Rockets.

Cairns finished its season against New Zealand in Rotorua on June 2, where Machado (21 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1 steal), Jawai (14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) and Deng (11 points and 2 blocks) led the nine-player Taipans lineup before Tai Webster (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), Corey Webster (16 points and 4 assists) and Colton Iverson (15 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) carried the Breakers to an 84-78 win, leaving Cairns ninth with an 8-28 record and outside the playoffs.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2021/22
Adelaide started the 2021/22 season by adding key players such as Mitch McCarron (via Melbourne), Filipino NBA prospect Kai Sotto, and Cairns backup guards Tad Dufelmeier and Mojave King. King had left the Taipans in search of more playing time to boost his NBA chances. Imports Dusty Hannahs and Todd Withers were also signed to complete the roster, and in a surprise move, Adelaide parted ways with coach Connor Henry despite having a year left on his contract. CJ Bruton, who narrowly missed out on the Brisbane Bullets head coaching job, was brought in just weeks before the season opener to lead the team. Bruton then added Hyrum Harris and Cam Bairstow, the latter of whom was coming off injury-plagued seasons and had not received any other NBL offers. Having previously worked with Bairstow in Brisbane, Bruton convinced him to join Adelaide in an effort to revive his career.

Mitch McCarron (7.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.9 steals) was named team captain and positioned as the franchise player moving forward. However, Adelaide struggled initially, going winless in the first round with losses to Perth (85-73) and Illawarra (71-81). They rebounded in round two, notching wins against Tasmania (83-80) and New Zealand (98-85), briefly reaching sixth place with a 2-2 record—their highest position of the season.

Adelaide’s challenges grew when Isaac Humphries (7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds) suffered a season-ending knee injury after just six games. Without Humphries, Bairstow (11.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) stepped up and delivered the best season of his NBL career before being sidelined by a late-season ankle injury, which ultimately marked the end of his NBL journey.

With imports Dusty Hannahs (13.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists) and Todd Withers (8.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) struggling to perform consistently, Adelaide (7-17) failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive year. Despite this, the team showed flashes of success, nearly ending the season with four consecutive away wins before falling in a close game to South East Melbourne (91-94). They ultimately finished seventh (10-18).

Daniel Johnson (16.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) led Adelaide in scoring, securing his second consecutive Mark Davis Award as the club’s MVP. Hyrum Harris (4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) earned the club’s Most Improved Player award, while Sunday Dech (12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) continued to establish himself as a key contributor in his second season with the 36ers.

2022/23
After struggling through NBL22, plagued by injuries and an inability to form a cohesive core, head coach CJ Bruton entered the 2022/23 season with optimism, having had a full offseason to prepare. Adelaide’s core group of Mitch McCarron (captain), Anthony Drmic, Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech, Hyrum Harris, and Kai Sotto all returned, and the 36ers made significant additions in the off-season by signing proven NBL imports Antonius Cleveland (via Illawarra) and Robert Franks (via Brisbane) to multi-year deals. They also brought in G-League standout Craig Randall II (Long Island Nets) to provide offensive firepower.

The season started on a high note with a historic preseason victory over the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, making Adelaide the first overseas team to defeat an NBA opponent since Turkish side Fenerbahce beat the Brooklyn Nets in 2015. The team followed up with a solid performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder, further boosting expectations.

However, the positive momentum did not last long. Adelaide returned to Australia and, despite being considered championship favourites, they stumbled to a 3-4 record within the first month of the season. During this period, Randall II (20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals), the team’s leading scorer, had multiple on-court altercations with coach Bruton. After a poor response to being benched during a game, Randall was released just six games into the season.

Franks (17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) and Cleveland (15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 steals) stepped up to carry the offense, while veteran Daniel Johnson (11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) recorded his lowest scoring output in nearly a decade. Despite their efforts, the 36ers struggled, losing six of their last eight games to miss out on the Play-In tournament.

McCarron (7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals) and Drmic (10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals) provided consistent performances, while NBL Next Star Kai Sotto (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds) showed glimpses of potential. Midway through the season, Adelaide (6-8) brought in former Sydney Kings guard Ian Clark (12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists) in a bid to push for a playoff spot. However, despite Clark’s contribution, the team managed only two wins in their last eight games.

The preseason win over the Phoenix Suns had likely raised expectations too high for a team that would ultimately finish eighth with a 13-18 record. Hyrum Harris averaged 3.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 27 games, providing valuable minutes off the bench in a difficult season for the 36ers.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2021/22
After finishing seventh with a 13-23 record the previous season, Adelaide lost Josh Giddey (to Oklahoma City), Jack McVeigh (to Tasmania) and Keanu Pinder (to Cairns), before adding Mitch McCarron (via Melbourne), Kai Sotto (via NBA G League Ignite), Tad Dufelmeier Jr (via Cairns), Mojave King (via Cairns), Emmanuel Malou (via Mackay), Dusty Hannahs (via Santa Cruz) and Todd Withers (via Bologna). King had sought a larger role after believing his limited playing time in Cairns was hurting his NBA chances. Adelaide then surprisingly released coach Conner Henry despite a year remaining on his contract, with the club saying their directions were no longer ideally matched, and appointed CJ Bruton only weeks before the opening game. Bruton, who had narrowly missed out on Brisbane’s head coaching position, completed the roster by adding Hyrum Harris (via Hawke’s Bay) and Cam Bairstow (via Illawarra). Bairstow had received no other NBL offers after several injury-affected seasons, but Bruton convinced him to join Adelaide after previously working with him in Brisbane. McCarron was named captain and positioned as Adelaide’s franchise player moving forward.

The New Zealand forward signed for NBL22 on November 3 after averaging 13.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.1 steals while shooting 55.4 percent from the field for Hawke’s Bay, helping the Hawks finish 13-5 and reach the NZNBL Grand Final. He had previously played for Illawarra as a development player and Cairns as an injury replacement. “I’m excited to have Hyrum join our team. He can defend players 1 through 4,” Bruton said.

Adelaide opened at RAC Arena on December 3 without the New Zealand forward, who was prevented from travelling into Western Australia because of border restrictions. Daniel Johnson (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Bairstow (15 points and 7 rebounds) led Adelaide, while Victor Law (37 points and 4 rebounds) carried Perth to an 85-73 victory.

Harris (4.2 points and 2.7 rebounds across 22 games) averaged 13.3 minutes, shot 51 percent from the field and started eight games while filling an energy and defensive role. He did not miss any games through injury. Border restrictions caused his opening-game absence, while he did not enter against Illawarra on December 5, Tasmania on December 9 or Cairns on February 20. Harris then missed games against Illawarra and Sydney while representing New Zealand at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in Manila, where he made his Tall Blacks debut. He entered Adelaide’s rotation as consecutive wins lifted the 36ers to 2-2 and sixth place, their highest position of the season and the only point they did not have a losing record. Bruton later compared his defensive versatility and team-first approach to Tall Blacks great Mika Vukona.

Harris received his first NBL start against South East Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on March 27 after injuries weakened Adelaide’s frontcourt, finishing with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks as the 36ers won 100-92. Johnson (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Sunday Dech (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide, while Mitch Creek (27 points and 12 rebounds) was South East Melbourne’s best. “Regardless of if I play 30 seconds or 30 minutes, I’m just happy to be here. I’m always grateful,” Harris said.

His best game and season-high scoring performance came at Nissan Arena on April 3, where Harris (12 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) made four of eight shots and committed only one turnover as Brisbane escaped with a 92-91 victory. Johnson (28 points and 8 rebounds) and McCarron (8 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists) supported Harris, while Jason Cadee (26 points and 5 assists) made seven three-pointers for Brisbane. Adelaide had the final possession, but Harris’ driving attempt did not fall as the Bullets held on.

Johnson (16.1 points and 7 rebounds across 28 games) led Adelaide in scoring and won his second consecutive Mark Davis Award as the club’s Most Valuable Player. Hannahs (13.6 points across 23 games), Dech (12.3 points and 4.2 rebounds across 23 games), Bairstow (11.4 points and 8 rebounds across 18 games), Withers (8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds across 26 games), McCarron (7.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2 steals across 27 games), Isaac Humphries (7.7 points and 5 rebounds across 6 games) and Sotto (7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds across 23 games) were the other major contributors. Humphries suffered a season-ending knee injury, while Bairstow received the Coaches Award after delivering the best season of his NBL career before a late ankle injury ended his campaign and ultimately his career. Adelaide received inconsistent production from imports Hannahs and Withers and fell to 7-17 with a month remaining, but Harris grabbed his increased opportunities and was named the club’s Most Improved Player.

Adelaide’s chance to collect four consecutive away victories ended at John Cain Arena on April 22, where Harris (4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) started as South East Melbourne recovered from a 17-point deficit to win 94-91. Dech (20 points and 6 assists) and Johnson (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Adelaide, while Cameron Gliddon (24 points and 6 rebounds) sparked the Phoenix comeback.

Adelaide ended the season at MyState Bank Arena on April 24, turning a seven-point half-time lead into a 93-60 win over New Zealand, its largest victory of the season and third win from the final four games. Dech (19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals) and King (15 points and 2 steals) led Adelaide, while Chasson Randle (14 points) was New Zealand’s equal-leading scorer as the 36ers missed the playoffs and finished seventh for the third consecutive season with a 10-18 record. Harris (1 point, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) started and played 14:47.

2022/23
After finishing seventh with a 10-18 record during CJ Bruton’s first season as coach, Adelaide entered NBL23 after finally giving Bruton a full offseason to build the roster following a campaign disrupted by frontcourt injuries and an inability to establish a cohesive core. Captain Mitch McCarron, Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech, Hyrum Harris and Kai Sotto returned, while Isaac Humphries (to Melbourne), Mojave King (to G League Ignite), Todd Withers (to Vilnius), Cameron Bairstow (retired), Dusty Hannahs, Tad Dufelmeier Jr and Emmanuel Malou departed. Anthony Drmic (via Brisbane), Antonius Cleveland (via Illawarra), Robert Franks (via Brisbane), Craig Randall II (via Long Island), Kyrin Galloway (via New Zealand) and Deng Acuoth (via Knox) joined the group.

Harris re-signed for one season in May after winning Adelaide’s Most Improved Player award during NBL22. “I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Club and am very happy to further develop with the 36ers. I look forward to continuing working with coach CJ and the team,” he said.

Adelaide raised expectations with its historic preseason victory over the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first overseas team since Fenerbahce in 2015 to defeat NBA opposition. Harris played nine minutes during the win and remained confident before the team completed its NBLxNBA trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “We’ve proven we can beat an NBA team already, and we want to prove we can go two for two against NBA teams,” Harris said. “That’s the mentality for us right now. We’ll have training, go over a few things and then come game time I think we’ll be ready.”

Adelaide opened its regular season against Tasmania at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 13, where Harris (2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) played 9:19 off the bench. Randall II (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Franks (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Adelaide, but Magette (23 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) helped Tasmania establish a 32-10 first-quarter lead and win 97-72.

Harris (3.2 points across 27 games) remained an energy forward off the bench, averaging 10.3 minutes and making 57.4 per cent of his field-goal attempts while providing rebounding and defensive versatility. Despite entering the season among the championship favourites, Adelaide fell to 3-4 during its opening month, while Randall II (20.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3 assists across 6 games) had several altercations with Bruton and was released after reacting poorly to being moved to the bench.

Former Sydney guard Ian Clark (12.2 points and 3.1 assists across 10 games) joined when Adelaide sat at 6-8, adding championship experience as the 36ers battled Melbourne, Perth and South East Melbourne for the final two Play-In positions.

Harris (10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) produced his best scoring game at Nissan Arena on January 19, making all four field-goal attempts during 20:19 off the bench. Drmic (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Cleveland (18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) led Adelaide, while Tyler Johnson (27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) carried Brisbane to a 106-101 overtime win which delivered the 36ers their fourth consecutive loss and dropped them to 11-13.

Franks (17.7 points and 6.5 rebounds across 28 games) and Cleveland (15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals across 28 games) led Adelaide offensively, with Cleveland winning his second consecutive NBL Best Defensive Player award. Johnson (11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds across 27 games) recorded his lowest scoring average in almost a decade, while Drmic (10.3 points and 3.4 rebounds across 25 games), McCarron (7.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals across 26 games), Dech (7.3 points across 28 games) and Sotto (6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds across 27 games) were the other main contributors.

Adelaide entered the final day of the regular season still capable of reaching the Play-In tournament and faced Melbourne at John Cain Arena on February 5, where Harris (3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played 11:28 off the bench. Cleveland (30 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) and Dech (20 points and 4 assists) led the 36ers, while Tucker (31 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) carried Melbourne to a 116-107 win, leaving Adelaide with only two victories from its final eight games and an eighth-place finish with a 13-15 record.

PERTH WILDCATS
202/24
After finishing sixth with a 15-13 record and having their season ended by Cairns in the play-in tournament, Perth reshaped its roster for John Rillie’s second season as head coach. Luke Travers (to Melbourne), Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra), Mitch Norton (to Brisbane), TaShawn Thomas and Brady Manek departed, while Rillie added Keanu Pinder (via Cairns), Hyrum Harris (via Adelaide), Hyrum’s fellow New Zealander Hyrum Harris signed a two-year deal with Perth in April after two seasons with Adelaide, joining David Okwera (via Melbourne), rookie Ben Henshall, Next Star Alexandre Sarr and imports Jordan Usher and Kristian Doolittle.

The move brought Harris closer to family living in Perth, while Rillie targeted his ability to defend the league’s premier forwards and provide energy and physicality.

“The Wildcats are such a successful organisation and to be joining them feels amazing,” Harris said.

Perth opened at RAC Arena on September 29, where Harris (3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) contributed in 11 minutes as the Wildcats defeated Tasmania 101-95. Usher (35 points and 3 rebounds) produced the highest-scoring debut in Wildcats history and Cotton (21 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Jack McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led Tasmania.

Harris (5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 30 games) began the season from the bench before forcing his way into the starting five after Perth’s first seven games. Rillie inserted him in place of Usher, with his defensive intensity, offensive rebounding and willingness to dive on the floor for loose balls becoming an important part of the Wildcats’ turnaround from a 2-5 start.

His first start came against Adelaide on November 4, where Harris (9 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block) grabbed five offensive rebounds as Perth ended a four-game losing streak with a 99-88 win. Cotton (29 points and 4 assists) and Usher (17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) led the scoring, while Trey Kell III (25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) was Adelaide’s best. Perth went on to win five straight games, with Harris remaining in the starting group during the run.

“The impact he’s had on our team is priceless,” Cotton said.

Harris’ best scoring game came against his former club Illawarra on February 15, where he produced a career-high 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals on 5-of-7 shooting. Cotton (20 points and 3 steals) and Usher (12 points and 2 steals) provided support, but Gary Clark (26 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led the Hawks to a 108-92 win at WIN Entertainment Centre.

Cotton (22.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals) led Perth offensively and claimed his fourth NBL MVP award, while Pinder (13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals) provided the second scoring option. Usher (12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds), Sarr (9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks), Doolittle (9 points and 6.7 rebounds), Tai Webster (8.9 points), Wagstaff (6.5 points and 3 rebounds) and Corey Webster (6.1 points) formed the rest of the main rotation. Harris was named Perth’s Most Improved Player as the Wildcats recovered to finish second with a 17-11 record.

After almost 100 NBL games without a postseason appearance, Harris made his finals debut against Tasmania at RAC Arena on March 8, finishing with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Perth won 89-81. Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds) and Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Wildcats, while Jordon Crawford (19 points and 3 assists), McVeigh (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Marcus Lee (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) were Tasmania’s best.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena, where Harris (9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals), Cotton (26 points and 3 steals) and Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) led Perth. Milton Doyle (24 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (22 points and 5 rebounds) and Majok Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) helped Tasmania win 102-94 and force a deciding game.

Game three returned to RAC Arena, where Harris (13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) produced his highest-scoring game of the series and Cotton (21 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth, while McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds), Doyle (24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) and Will Magnay (18 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) led Tasmania as the JackJumpers won 100-84.

2024/25
Perth entered NBL25 after its previous campaign ended with a semifinal loss to Tasmania, farewelling Alexandre Sarr (to Washington), Jordan Usher (to France), Corey Webster (to Auckland) and Kyle Zunic (to Keilor). John Rillie returned for his third season as head coach and retained captain Jesse Wagstaff, Bryce Cotton, Keanu Pinder, Kristian Doolittle, Tai Webster, Hyrum Harris, Ben Henshall and David Okwera. Elijah Pepper (via UC Davis), Next Star Izan Almansa (via G League Ignite) and Dylan Windler (via Atlanta) joined the roster, Michael Harris was elevated from the development group and Todd Withers (via Warwick) signed as a nominated replacement player.

Harris entered the second and final season of the two-year contract he signed with Perth in April 2023, having initially been drawn to the Wildcats by their history and the opportunity to be closer to his family in Western Australia.

Perth opened the season against South East Melbourne during HoopsFest at RAC Arena on September 20, where Harris (2 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) started and played 15:26 as the Wildcats won 106-98. Pinder (29 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Cotton (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Perth, while Jordan Hunter (19 points and 7 rebounds) was the Phoenix’s best.

Harris (2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds across 26 games) adjusted to a reduced role during his second season in Perth. After starting for most of NBL24, the recruitment of Windler shifted him into an impact role off the bench, where he continued to provide hustle, rebounding, screens and defensive pressure. Injuries to Windler and Doolittle increased his opportunities at different stages of the campaign.

Harris’ best scoring game came against Tasmania at MyState Bank Arena on January 12, where he made all six of his field-goal attempts and finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 16:35. Cotton (32 points and 9 assists) and Windler (15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) led Perth, while Jordon Crawford (16 points) was Tasmania’s leading scorer as the Wildcats won 105-73, collected their fifth victory from six away games and improved to 13-9.

Cotton (28.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 24 games) led Perth offensively and won his fifth Andrew Gaze Trophy, another Fans’ MVP award, an All-NBL First Team selection and the Gordon Ellis Medal as club MVP. Pinder (15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds across 25 games), Doolittle (14 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 24 games) and Windler (11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals across 24 games) formed the Wildcats’ other leading group. Henshall (9.8 points and 3.1 rebounds across 28 games), Webster (8.3 points across 16 games), Almansa (7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds across 29 games), Pepper (7.6 points across 29 games) and Withers (5.8 points across 14 games) completed the main rotation. Doolittle received the Players’ Player and Best Defensive Player awards, Henshall was named Most Improved and Harris received the Coaches’ Award.

Harris was not used in Perth’s final three regular-season games, including the February 7 finale against Adelaide at RAC Arena. The 112-104 win over Adelaide saw Perth finish third with an 18-11 record.

Perth opened the postseason against South East Melbourne at the Perth High Performance Centre, where Harris (4 points and 3 rebounds) played 5:20 as the Wildcats won 122-105. Pinder (35 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks), Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Doolittle (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Perth, while Angus Glover (25 points and 2 steals), Matt Hurt (24 points and 3 steals) and Nathan Sobey (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) were the Phoenix’s leading performers.

Game one of the semifinals moved to John Cain Arena, where Harris (0 points in 0:39) appeared briefly as Pinder (24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists), Doolittle (22 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Cotton (22 points and 6 assists) led Perth. Chris Goulding (41 points), Ian Clark (22 points) and Jack White (13 points and 10 rebounds) carried Melbourne to a 105-93 win.

Harris did not play when the series moved to RAC Arena for game two, where Windler (27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks), Cotton (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Doolittle (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists) helped Perth recover from a 20-point deficit. Goulding (15 points), Matthew Dellavedova (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 12 assists) and Clark (13 points) led Melbourne before the Wildcats won 96-89 and forced a deciding game.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Doolittle (37 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals), Cotton (33 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) and Pinder (15 points and 5 rebounds) kept Perth within reach, while Clark (38 points), Goulding (30 points and 4 rebounds), White (15 points and 9 rebounds) and Dellavedova (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 11 assists) led Melbourne. Wagstaff (3 points and 4 rebounds) tied the scores with a three-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining, but Henshall (9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) was called for a foul on Goulding with 0.8 seconds left. Goulding made the first free throw and deliberately missed the second as Melbourne won 113-112 and took the series 2-1. Harris did not play in the loss.

Hyrum Harris played six seasons across four NBL teams. This included the Illawarra Hawks, Cairns Taipans, Adelaide 36ers and Perth Wildcats. He averaged 3.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1 assists in 122 NBL games.