From Morgan State to the Pros: Marland Harris Signs First Professional Contract in North Macedonia
Former Morgan State men’s basketball forward Marland Harris is taking the next step in his career.
Harris has signed his first professional contract with KK Strumica of North Macedonia’s Liga Prva, the country’s top professional basketball league. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward heads overseas after establishing himself as one of Morgan State’s most dependable interior defenders during the 2025-26 season.
For Harris, the move continues a basketball journey that took him from California junior college basketball to Morgan State and now into the professional ranks.
It is also another example of Morgan State developing players capable of continuing their careers beyond college basketball.
Harris Made His Mark Defensively at Morgan State
Harris’ value to the Bears went well beyond his scoring numbers.
He appeared in 20 games for Morgan State during the 2025-26 season, making six starts and averaging 13 minutes per game. Harris averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting an efficient 54.7 percent from the field.
His biggest impact came on the defensive end.
Harris finished with 30 blocked shots, leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference despite playing significantly fewer minutes than many of the league’s regular starters.
That production reinforced his reputation as an interior defender capable of altering shots, protecting the rim and giving Morgan State another physical presence around the basket.
Harris was also twice recognized as the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week during the season.
Big Performances Showed His Potential
Harris’ overall averages do not fully reflect the impact he could make when given extended playing time.
One of his best games came against Maryland Eastern Shore on Feb. 7. Harris scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked four shots, giving Morgan State production on both ends of the floor.
He also dominated defensively during Morgan State’s Jan. 26 matchup against Norfolk State.
Harris collected a season-high 14 rebounds and six blocked shots, demonstrating the type of length and rim protection that should translate well to the professional game overseas.
Earlier in the season, Harris also produced an 18-point, 10-rebound, four-block performance against Virginia-Lynchburg while making all nine of his field-goal attempts.
When Harris received meaningful minutes, he frequently found ways to influence games.
Efficiency Should Translate Overseas
Harris was never a high-volume offensive player at Morgan State, but he was extremely efficient when opportunities came his way.
He made 29 of 53 field-goal attempts during the 2025-26 season, good for 54.7 percent, while also converting 20 of 29 free throws for 69 percent.
That profile could work well for KK Strumica.
European clubs often value frontcourt players who can defend, rebound, finish efficiently around the rim and play within an offensive system without requiring a high number of touches.
At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Harris has the size to defend interior players while possessing enough athleticism to challenge shots and clean up around the basket.
His ability to block shots may be his most immediately transferable skill.
The Road to Morgan State
Harris’ path to Division I basketball was not conventional.
The Inglewood, California native played at West Los Angeles College before joining Morgan State. At West LA, Harris developed into one of the program’s better interior players and averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the floor during one of his seasons with the Wildcats.
During the 2022-23 season, Harris played in 22 games as West LA finished 19-11 overall and 10-4 in conference play.
He averaged 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds that season and led the Wildcats with 38 blocked shots as a freshman.
The defensive identity that eventually made Harris valuable at Morgan State was already evident.
Before junior college, Harris starred at Westchester Enriched Science & Magnets in California. He was a two-time First Team All-League selection, helped Westchester win a 2020 CIF basketball championship and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Defense has essentially followed Harris at every stop.
More Than Basketball
Harris also received recognition for his work away from the court.
In 2025, he earned a spot on the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, an academic honor requiring upperclassmen to maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
Harris previously earned a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences – Behavioral & Social Sciences while attending West Los Angeles College.
His move into professional basketball now adds another accomplishment to a career built through steady progression.
What Awaits Harris in North Macedonia
KK Strumica competes in North Macedonia’s Liga Prva, also known as the Macedonian First League. It will be Harris’ first experience playing professional basketball overseas.
The transition from college basketball to the European professional game can require adjustments.
Spacing is different. Defensive responsibilities can be more complex. Players also have to adapt to different coaching styles, teammates, travel and life away from the United States.
However, Harris already brings several traits that professional teams consistently value.
He protects the rim.
He rebounds.
He finishes efficiently.
And he does not need an offense designed around him to impact a game.
That combination gives Harris a legitimate chance to establish himself overseas.
Another Morgan State Player Reaches the Professional Level
Harris’ signing also reflects positively on Morgan State’s program.
The Bears finished the 2025-26 season 10-4 in MEAC play, and Harris played an important role in a frontcourt that relied heavily on defense and physicality.
Professional basketball does not end with the NBA.
Thousands of players build long and successful careers throughout Europe and other international leagues, and North Macedonia gives Harris his first opportunity to enter that world.
For Morgan State, each former player who reaches the professional ranks also provides another example for current recruits and players of what can come after competing at Hill Field House.
MSB Take
Marland Harris is exactly the type of player whose college statistics can undersell his actual value.
A player averaging 3.9 points per game does not immediately jump off the page, but dig deeper and Harris’ professional potential becomes much easier to understand.
He shot nearly 55 percent from the field.
He led the MEAC in blocked shots.
He produced double-doubles when given extended minutes.
And he demonstrated throughout his career that defense and rebounding are legitimate strengths rather than occasional flashes.
Those traits can travel.
European professional basketball is full of players who build careers by understanding their roles, defending at a high level and playing efficient basketball. Harris already has much of that foundation.
Now he gets his opportunity.
From West Los Angeles College to Morgan State and now KK Strumica, Harris has continued climbing the basketball ladder.
His next stop is North Macedonia.
And this time, he will be getting paid to play.
Marland Harris — 2025-26 Morgan State
Games: 20
Starts: 6
Points: 3.9 per game
Rebounds: 3.8 per game
Field goal percentage: 54.7%
Blocks: 30
MEAC: Led conference in blocked shots
New Team: KK Strumica
League: Liga Prva — North Macedonia
