Maurice Harkless facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Maurice Harkless

Harkless with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019
Free agent
Power forward / small forward
Personal information
Born	(1993-05-11) May 11, 1993 (age 32) New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American / Puerto Rican
High school	Forest Hills (New York City, New York) South Kent School (South Kent, Connecticut)
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College	St. John's (2011–2012)
NBA Draft	2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career	2012–present
Career history
2012–2015	Orlando Magic
2015–2019	Portland Trail Blazers
2019–2020	Los Angeles Clippers
2020	New York Knicks
2020–2021	Miami Heat
2021–2022	Sacramento Kings
2023–2024	Rip City Remix
Career highlights and awards
Big East Rookie of the Year (2012)

Maurice José "Moe" Harkless was born on May 11, 1993. He is a professional basketball player from America and Puerto Rico. Moe last played for the Rip City Remix in the NBA G League.

Before becoming a pro, he played college basketball for the St. John's Red Storm. After his first year in college, he was picked 15th overall in the 2012 NBA draft. Moe has also played for the Puerto Rican national team.

High School Career

Moe Harkless was born and adopted in New York City. He went to Forest Hills High School in Queens. Later, he moved to South Kent School in Connecticut for his last year of high school.

He was named the New York Daily News's Queens High School Player of the Year in 2009–10. During that time, he averaged 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. At South Kent in 2010–11, he averaged 27.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. He was also named MVP at the 2011 Yo Mama Classic.

College Career

Harkless during his only season at St. John's

Moe Harkless played and started in all 32 games during his first year at St. John's University. This was in the 2011–12 season. He averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He also had 1.5 assists, 1.59 steals, and 1.41 blocks.

He was the best rebounder and shot-blocker for his team. He was also second in scoring and steals. Moe was named the Big East Rookie of the Year. He scored 10 or more points 26 times. He scored over 20 points seven times, including a high of 32 points against Providence. He also had 11 games where he got a "double-double" (double digits in two stats).

In March 2012, Harkless decided to enter the NBA draft. This meant he gave up his last three years of college basketball.

Professional Career

Orlando Magic (2012–2015)

Harkless with the Magic in December 2012

On June 28, 2012, the Philadelphia 76ers picked Harkless as the 15th player in the 2012 NBA draft. On August 10, 2012, he was traded to the Orlando Magic. This trade involved four teams and 12 players.

Moe played well in his first NBA season. He averaged 8.2 points per game and played good defense. He scored 10 or more points 29 times. He scored over 20 points four times, including a high of 28 points. He also had one double-double, with 19 points and 14 rebounds. He had at least one steal in 50 games. He even had a career-high six steals in one game.

Moe started the 2013–14 season as a starter. His playing time went down later in the season. He scored 10 or more points 30 times. He scored over 20 points three times. He had one double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also improved his 3-point shooting a lot, from 27.4% to 38.3%.

In the 2014–15 season, Moe played less. He only played in 45 games. He averaged just 15 minutes per game. In one game, he started and scored 18 points. But in the next game, he only scored two points.

Portland Trail Blazers (2015–2019)

On July 14, 2015, Harkless was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He started the 2015–16 NBA season on the bench. But by the end of the season, he became a starter. He averaged 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in the regular season. In the playoffs, his numbers went up to 11 points and 5.1 rebounds.

On February 10, 2016, he scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. On April 5, 2016, he scored a season-high 20 points. He also had a career-high 16 rebounds in that game.

On July 27, 2016, Harkless signed a new four-year contract with the Trail Blazers. Coach Terry Stotts made Harkless the starting small forward. He kept this position for most of the season. On October 27, he scored 23 points and had eight rebounds. He also scored 23 points again on November 30. Moe improved his 3-point shooting from 28% to 35% this season.

Moe started the 2017–18 season as the starting small forward. But he lost his spot after averaging 4.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. On December 23, he scored a season-high 22 points. He played in 59 games that season. He had surgery on his left knee in March and missed the last games.

In the 2018–19 season, Harkless missed 14 games because of his knee. On April 9, 2019, he scored 26 points. He also hit a 3-pointer at the last second to win the game for the Trail Blazers.

Later Teams (2019–2024)

On July 6, 2019, Harkless was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. This was part of a big four-team trade.

On February 6, 2020, Harkless was traded again, this time to the New York Knicks.

On November 23, 2020, Harkless signed with the Miami Heat.

On March 25, 2021, Harkless was traded to the Sacramento Kings. He re-signed with the Kings on August 7, 2021.

In 2022, Harkless was traded several times. He went to the Atlanta Hawks, then the Oklahoma City Thunder, and then the Houston Rockets. He was then released by the Rockets.

On November 26, 2023, Harkless joined the Rip City Remix in the NBA G League. He played there until January 30, 2024.

National Team Career

In January 2014, Moe Harkless said he wanted to play for the Puerto Rican national team. He wanted to play in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. However, he later decided not to play to focus on the NBA season. One year later, he played his first games for the Puerto Rican national team.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

Personal Life

Moe Harkless is the son of Rosa Harkless. He has a sister named Shakima Harkless and a brother named Tyler Rodgers. His grandfather on his mother's side is from Puerto Rico. His grandmother, Barbara Harkless, raised him.

See also

In Spanish: Maurice Harkless para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans