Maurice Harkless

Maurice Harkless's Biography

Maurice José “Moe” Harkless was born on May 11, 1993, in the bustling city of New York. He is a professional basketball player who, most recently, played for Rip City Remix in the NBA G League. Harkless holds both American and Puerto Rican nationalities and has represented Puerto Rico’s national basketball team. His basketball journey is decorated with numerous accolades and recognition both in high school and in the professional leagues.

The first step in Harkless’s basketball career began in Queens, New York, at Forest Hills High School. The next step took him approximately 100 miles northeast to South Kent School in Connecticut. During his stints in both high schools, Harkless proved himself an indomitable force on the court, receiving all-metro honors in 2008-09 and 2009-10, and being recognized as the Queens High School Player of the Year in 2009-10. His impressive stats included an average of 27.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game during his time at South Kent in 2010-11.

Harkless’s college journey was succinct, yet impactful, as he attended St. John’s University for merely a year. Nonetheless, during his freshman year, he averaged 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.59 steals, leading the Red Storm in rebounding, blocked shots, and minutes played. His performance did not go unnoticed, as he was bestowed with the Big East Rookie of the Year award and All-Big East Honorable Mention. Riding on his outstanding freshman year, Harkless declared for the NBA draft in March 2012.

The next chapter of Harkless’s basketball odyssey began when he was selected as the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he was soon traded to the Orlando Magic in August 2012 as part of a significant deal involving four teams and 12 players. Despite the sudden change, Harkless brought his collegiate skills to his first NBA season, with an average of 8.2 points per game, getting into double figures 29 times, and having four games with 20+ points.

While his initial seasons were marked by significant minutes on the court, Harkless’s role started to diminish as more players filled up the rotation. Still, he made the most of his decreased minutes, showcasing his mettle with improved 3-point shooting accuracy and defensive skills. After three seasons with the Magic, Harkless was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2015. Despite a lukewarm start, he proved his worth by the end of the season, especially during the playoffs where his performance significantly improved.

Harkless continued his career with the Trail Blazers, signing a four-year contact in 2016. In the following seasons, Harkless faced varying opportunities with fluctuating minutes and rotations. However, his dedication never waned, and he remained a consistent player, improving his 3-point shooting average to 35 percent in the 2016-2017 season.

In the 2018-2019 season, Harkless played a significant role in a game where he scored the winning three-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers. Following this successful stint with the Trail Blazers, Harkless was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2019. His journey continued with a brief stay with the New York Knicks, signing with the Miami Heat, and getting traded to the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and finally to the Oklahoma City Thunders.

The trades continued leading him to the Houston Rockets, but he was waived in October 2021. Shortly after, Harkless joined the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League in November 2023, but like his pro-level NBA career, his G League stint ended when he was waived in January 2024.

On an international level, Harkless expressed interest to play for Puerto Rico at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, a decision motivated by his Puerto Rican grandfather. Though he withdrew his name to prepare for the NBA season, he later represented the Puerto Rican national team. Despite the rollercoaster of his professional career, Harkless’s basketball journey attests to his persistence, resilience, and an undying love for the sport. His personal life is guarded, primarily revolving around his family, including his mother, Rosa Harkless, a sister, Shakima Harkless, and brother, Tyler Rodgers. Raised by his grandmother, Barbara Harkless, Moe Harkless is a testament to the influence of a strong and robust family support system.