gary harris

Former Michigan State guard Gary Harris averaged 14.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists with the Denver Nuggets in 2016-17.

(David Zalubowski | AP Photo)

Gary Harris sat on stage in Brooklyn on Tuesday night, serving as the face of the Denver Nuggets at the NBA Draft Lottery. It was a full-circle moment. Harris was drafted by the Nuggets with the 19th overall pick three years ago, missing out on the lottery.

After averaging almost 15 points this year in his third season in the league, though, the former Michigan State star has proven that he was overlooked.

Now Harris is on the verge of landing a mega-deal if his rookie contract is extended this year or in free agency next year. The deal could ultimately pay in excess of $10-plus million per year, placing Harris among the most successful pro players to emerge from Michigan State during Tom Izzo's 20-year tenure as head coach.

"That's my guy," Harris told Adrian Wojnarowski this week on an episode of The Vertical podcast. "(Izzo) is just one of those guys -- he truly cares."

Much is happening in Harris' life right now. As part of a young core in Denver, he's a key player for a team that improved to 40-42 this season, falling two games short of a playoff berth. Three seasons ago, the Nuggets finished 30-52 in Harris' rookie year.

Harris played at MSU in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

"The first few years, you're trying to figure it out," Harris told Wojnarowski. "I think with us being a young group, for us to be that close to the playoffs, now everybody is like, 'Alright, we're right there, what can we do next year?'"

Harris said that in his rookie year, the most jarring shift of going from MSU to the pros was the difference of "knowing what you're supposed to be doing" as a player under Izzo versus the self-responsibility and guesswork of being a professional.

As a rookie, Harris appeared in 55 games, playing 13.1 minutes per outing. He looked like a marginal NBA player.

He proved himself in year two. Harris started 76 games, averaging 32.1 minutes and 12.3 points. His shooting numbers, though, weren't impressive.

This year, it all came together. Harris shot 50.2 percent from the field, 42.0 percent on 3s and showed more athleticism than anyone anticipated. On the podcast, Wojnarowski referred to him as "one of the best young two-way guards in the NBA."

That, ultimately, is why Harris was asked by Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly to represent the franchise at the draft lottery. (The Nuggets came away with the No. 13 pick, as anticipated.)

"I was thrilled, just because I remember when I was in position watching the draft lottery, trying to figure out the draft positions the year I was getting drafted," he said of Connelly's request.

Wojnarowski equated some of Harris' mental wherewithal to grind through a difficult start of his career to Harris' two seasons spent under Izzo.

Harris not only agreed with the premise, but nearly turned the podcast into a 40-minute infomercial for Izzo and the Spartans.

"It's a family, it's like home," Harris said. "That's the thing about Michigan State. No matter when you played or who you played with, they always come back just because of Izzo. Then you see the guys that Izzo is coaching (now) and you were in that position, so it's like, you look out for them. Those are the guys trying to do the same thing that you did."

Harris recounted a game during his sophomore year when he was languishing through a poor showing and Izzo was riding him -- screaming, picking him apart. Harris grew frustrated.

"I was at the point where I was mad at myself," he remembered. "I knew I was playing badly, like, he didn't need to keep doing that -- and I just snapped in the huddle. Everyone was like, 'Yo, chill, chill, chill.' But I like blacked out and snapped, just fed up with everything."

Izzo and Harris talk during a game against Indiana at Breslin Center in 2014.

Harris said he and Izzo exchanged pleasantries -- pleasantries that start with F and end with U. After the game, which MSU won, Harris packed his things and left the arena before Izzo could get to him. Five minutes later, Izzo called him and said, as Harris recalled: "Really? You're just gonna leave like that?"

Harris thought Izzo was going to levy a punishment -- extra free-throw shooting, extra running, etc. Instead, Izzo was happy with him. The conversation ended with Izzo telling Harris: "It's about damn time you showed some emotion."

It was then that Harris began to understand how to play for the Hall of Fame coach.

Those lessons have translated to the league.

"He's going to challenge you and you can challenge him back, but you better be right," Harris said. "You can't just use all your bullets. You gotta know when to go back at him. You can't go back at him every single time. He's not going to let that happen. You can pick and choose when you go at him. At the end of the day, he just wants to win. As long as winning is the most important thing for you, that's what it's all about. Because when it comes down to it, there won't be anyone that goes to bat for you more than (Izzo)."

This intimate knowledge of not only Michigan State and Izzo, but also of the realities of leaving school for the NBA, came in handy recently.

Harris was among those who spoke to Miles Bridges during his stay-versus-go decision following the 2016-17 season.

"I told him that, 'Look, you know what's best for you. If you're ready to go to the NBA, if you're confident in your abilities and you want to go, go ahead. Who's someone to tell you what you should and shouldn't do. It should be your decision,'" Harris said, soon adding, "I told him, 'Whatever decision you make, be all-in."

Bridges went all-in on returning to Michigan State.

This should sound familiar. Harris could've let MSU after his freshman year. He, too, decided to return.

Things, it appears, have worked out.

"I don't know if I'd be in the same situation that I'm in right now," Harris said.