July 22, 2020
LATRELL HARRIS AGREES TO 1-YEAR DEAL
Rock Defender Eyes Comeback Season
Oakville, ON – Toronto Rock General Manager Jamie Dawick announced today that defender Latrell Harris has agreed to a 1-year contract extension. The 22-year old native of St. Catharines, ON played in just one game during the 19-20 season and is looking to make an impactful comeback in 20-21.
The signing is pending league approval.
“I think Latrell came into the league and made quite an impact as an 18-year old,” said Dawick. “Since then, he has dealt with a lot of nagging injuries and hasn’t had a chance to really prove himself and take that next step. Now that he’s healthy, he’ll be able to truly show the lacrosse world what he’s capable of.”
Shortly after the first game of the 19-20 season, Harris was on the receiving end of a pick during practice when he felt that things just weren’t quite right with his shoulder. He was immediately shutdown by team medical staff to allow Harris some time for his injured shoulder to heal. When it appeared that surgery and not just time would be needed to heal this wound, Harris opted to take the longer route to repair the torn larum in his left shoulder. He underwent the successful procedure on March 6 and is now feeling better than ever.
“Being healthy is helping my confidence a lot and I am able to do things that I just couldn’t do recently,” said Harris. “I’m in a great state of mind as well, knowing that nothing is going to hold me back. I don’t have to say to myself, take it easy, because of my shoulder. I feel like a regular human being again without having to worry about my shoulder and any limitations.”
Harris estimates it’s been over two years since he’s been completely healthy and looks at this season as an opportunity to show his value to the franchise and his teammates.
“I need to prove myself more than ever to the team,” explained Harris. “I want to show everyone that I wasn’t just at home hanging out and relaxing, and that I was putting in the work to get ready for the upcoming season.
“I don’t like it, I love playing here. It means everything to me to play in front of my family and be close to home. Being a part of Rock City, is amazing. The fans embraced me at a young age, and now I’m here for them. I love my teammates and management, it was a perfect fit for me to play in Toronto, and now it’s time to prove it them.”
A product of the St. Catharines Athletics’ minor and Junior A programs, Harris was the definition of a rookie phenom in 2017. The Rock were able to grab Harris in the second round with the 12th overall pick in the 2016 NLL Draft. As a rookie, in the truest sense, he dressed for all 18 regular season games and the Rock’s two playoff contests in 2017. He also earned an All-Rookie Team selection at season’s end.
In each of his three full NLL seasons, he picked up over 100 loose balls and posted a career-high of 114 in 18-19. His athleticism has also led to him being one of the best in the NLL at forcing turnovers with a career-high 34 caused turnovers, also in 18-19. One can only imagine how high those totals may soar with two healthy shoulders and more confidence.
While the additions of defenders Mitch de Snoo and Jason Noble have provided the Rock with a pair of known entities entering the fold next season, it could be the comeback and potential rise of Latrell Harris to the elite level that steals the headlines.
Stay tuned to the Rock’s social media channels and torontorock.com as more signings are announced throughout the summer months.
The next major date on the NLL’s summer calendar is the opening of the free agent signing period on Aug. 1.
2020-21 Toronto Rock Season Memberships are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, please visit torontorock.com.
