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Josh Harrellson
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Josh Harrellson
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Josh Douglas Harrellson (born February 12, 1989) is an American professional basketball player for Saga Ballooners of the Japanese B.League. Standing 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), he played center for the Kentucky Wildcats from 2008 to 2011. He was selected by the New Orleans Hornets as the 45th pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but was traded to the New York Knicks. He signed with the Miami Heat in 2012. In 2013, he joined the Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico,[1] but he was released on May 18 so that he could join Chongqing Flying Dragons in the Chinese National Basketball League for a two-month period.[2] In August 2013, Harrellson joined the Detroit Pistons.

Key Information

Harrellson first played organized basketball as a freshman at St. Charles High School. Coach Gary Wacker helped develop Harrellson's skills, and he was named a first-team All-State player his junior and senior years. He signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Western Illinois University, but never enrolled there, choosing instead to attend junior college at Southwestern Illinois College. After one year at Southwest Illinois, he was recruited to Kentucky by then-coach Billy Gillispie. Gillispie was fired after Harrellson's first season, and Harrellson played sparingly the next year under new coach John Calipari. Due to the ineligibility of star recruit Enes Kanter, Harrellson received significantly more playing time his senior year, during which he averaged 6.4 points per game and led the Southeastern Conference in rebounding with 8.8 per game. In the 2011 NCAA tournament, he was named to the All-East Region Team.

High school career

[edit]

Harrellson had never played organized basketball prior to 2003, his freshman year at St. Charles High School.[3] St. Charles boys' basketball coach Gary Wacker noticed Harrellson, who stood six feet, four inches tall as a high school freshman, when he came to the football coach's office to ask about tryouts.[4][5] When Harrellson showed up too late for football tryouts, Wacker encouraged him to try playing basketball.[5] Wacker later recalled that, when he first started practice, he could not dribble or make a left-handed layup, and Harrellson himself conceded that he was "pretty much the worst player on the team."[3] Before the end of his first season, however, he was playing on the junior varsity team, and by his sophomore year, he was playing with the varsity team.[6]

Harrellson had a difficult home life, and eventually moved in with his AAU basketball coach.[4] By his junior year, he had grown to 6 feet, 8 inches tall; he averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds for the season and was named a first team All-State player.[3][6] After taking only one recruiting visit, he signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Western Illinois Leathernecks prior to his senior year.[7] He averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.6 blocked shots, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals during his final season of high school basketball, while leading St. Charles to the Class 4 state semi-finals.[8][9] He was named second team All-Metro by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and was again named first team All-State.[3][8] He finished his high school career with 1,325 points and 794 rebounds.[9] After the season, he participated in summer workouts with University of Florida-bound Alex Tyus from nearby Hazelwood Central High School; during these workouts, he became convinced he could play basketball for a higher-profile university.[7]

College career

[edit]

Before enrolling at Western Illinois, Harrellson asked to be released from his letter of intent, citing rumors that head coach Derek Thomas was about to be fired and his desire to play for a higher-profile school.[3] Western Illinois refused to grant the request.[10] Instead of playing for Western Illinois, Harrellson decided to matriculate to a junior college.[3] His parents divorced following his high school graduation, and he chose Southwestern Illinois College because it was close to home.[4][11] Harrellson joined future Alabama forward Chris Hines and future Minnesota guard Devron Bostick on the SWIC basketball team, and during the 2007–08 season, he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds.[7][11] His team compiled a 28–5 record, won the Great Rivers Athletic Conference, and advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association regional championship game.[11] Harrellson was named first-team all-conference and all-region.[3]

In March 2008, Western Illinois fired coach Derek Thomas, and Harrellson was released from his Letter of Intent in April of that year.[3] Harrellson first expressed interest in transferring to the University of Missouri, but the school had no basketball scholarships available.[10] He considered scholarship offers from Iowa, Iowa State, St. Louis, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.[10] His final decision was between St. Louis and Kentucky.[10] Despite his desire to stay close to home, in part because of his parents' recent divorce, Harrellson chose Kentucky because of the chance for better exposure, which would lead to an opportunity to play professional basketball.[10]

Harrellson in 2009

In his first year at Kentucky, Harrellson played in 34 games, starting in 2.[12] He was named to the Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team; he posted his first career double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) in the tournament's championship game against the West Virginia Mountaineers.[13] The game was one of only six all season in which Harrellson tallied at least 10 points.[5] At halftime of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville on February 17, 2009, Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie ordered Harrellson to listen to the game plan from a bathroom stall.[14] After the game, Gillispie made Harrellson ride back to Lexington in the equipment van instead of on the bus with his teammates.[14]

Kentucky fired Gillispie at the end of the season, replacing him with John Calipari. Calipari quickly assembled a highly touted recruiting class that required more scholarships than Kentucky had to offer and held workouts to determine which of the players then on scholarship would best fit into his system.[15] Sophomore A. J. Stewart and freshman Donald Williams decided to transfer, while senior Jared Carter decided not to apply for a medical redshirt.[16] Harrellson impressed Calipari and remained on the team.[14] However, playing behind Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, and Perry Stevenson, Harrellson played a total of 88 minutes over 22 games during the season.[17] He averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game, and his season high in points was five.[5][12]

Following the 2009–2010 season, Harrellson and teammate Jon Hood played nine games in China as part of an exhibition team assembled by Campbellsville, Kentucky-based Sports Reach.[18] Playing against teams from China and Russia, Harrellson averaged 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds.[18] He said that the experience boosted his confidence after receiving limited playing time during the previous season.[18]

Harrellson grabbed 26 rebounds in the Blue-White scrimmage prior to the 2010–11 basketball season.[19] When asked about the performance, Calipari remarked, "Either we are the worst offensive rebounding team in America or he's gotten better." Harrellson took exception to Calipari's lack of praise and tweeted, "Just amazing to me I can't get a good job or way to go. Yes he has been working hard this off season ... It is just amazing to me but I look past it and keep trucking!"[20] Calipari then ordered Harrellson to shut down his Twitter account and to do extra conditioning drills as punishment.[21] Harrellson made these drills part of his regular workout and credited them for improving his physical condition.[21]

Harrellson was pressed into playing heavy minutes by the NCAA's decision to rule teammate Enes Kanter ineligible for accepting excessive benefits from a professional team in Turkey.[22] Harrellson started every game for the Wildcats during the 2010–11 season.[23] He achieved career highs in points (24) and rebounds (14) against in-state rival Louisville on December 31, 2010, but regressed once conference play began.[24] He nevertheless led the conference in rebounding with 8.8 per game, and scored 6.4 points per game during the regular season.[23][25] During the 2011 Southeastern Conference tournament, he averaged 10.3 points per game and was named to the All-Tournament team.[26]

In the 2011 NCAA tournament, Harrellson averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds, including a 17-point, 10-rebound, 3-block performance against Ohio State All-American Jared Sullinger in the third round.[27][28] He followed up with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and a career-high 4 assists in the regional finals against Tyler Zeller of the North Carolina Tar Heels, helping the Wildcats reach the Final Four.[29] After the game, Harrellson was named to the All-East Region Tournament team along with teammates DeAndre Liggins and Brandon Knight, who was named the region's most outstanding player.[30] In his final game as a Wildcat, a one-point loss to the Connecticut Huskies in the national semi-finals, Harrellson managed only 6 points and 4 rebounds.[31]

Harrellson was invited to the 2011 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, widely regarded as a chance for college seniors to showcase their skills for NBA scouts, but withdrew from the tournament on the advice of University of Kentucky medical staff after the emergence of flu-like symptoms.[20][32] Basketball analyst David Aldridge ranked Harrellson as the eighth best center available in the 2019 NBA draft.[33] He was projected as a possible early-to-mid-second-round pick in the draft.[5]

While at the University of Kentucky he earned the nickname "Jorts" (slang for jean shorts) because he was often seen wearing them.

Professional career

[edit]

Harrellson was drafted in the second round (45th overall) of the 2011 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets, but was traded to the New York Knicks for cash considerations reportedly between $700,000 and $750,000.[34]

On December 31, 2011, he started for the first time for the injured Amar'e Stoudemire and achieved his first double-double against the Sacramento Kings with 14 points, going 4 of 8 from the 3-point line, and 12 rebounds.

During the 2011–12 NBA season, Harrellson was injured after appearing in 16 games. He missed several games to recover from wrist surgery. His first game back was on February 29, 2012, against the Cavaliers.

On July 11, 2012, Harrellson was traded by the Knicks to the Houston Rockets along with Toney Douglas, Jerome Jordan and second-round picks in 2014 and 2015 for Marcus Camby.[35] On August 15, 2012, Harrellson was waived by the Rockets.[36]

Harrellson with Miami

On September 17, 2012, Harrellson signed with the Miami Heat.[37] On January 7, 2013, he was waived by the Heat. During his time with the Heat, he averaged 1.7 ppg, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.2 blocks in 5.2 minutes of play.[38] However, he was re-signed on a ten-day contract on January 10, 2013.[39] He later played for the Brujos de Guayama in Puerto Rico[40] and the Chongqing Flying Dragons in China.[2] While playing in China, Harrellson averaged 22.3 points, 18.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals to win the NBL Player of the Year award.

On August 21, 2013, Harrellson signed with the Detroit Pistons.[41] On July 15, 2014, he was waived by the Pistons.[42][43]

On September 23, 2014, Harrellson signed with the Chongqing Flying Dragons for the team's first season in the Chinese Basketball Association.[44] He left the team in December 2014 after appearing in 14 games.[45]

On February 14, 2015, Harrellson re-signed with Brujos de Guayama.[46]

In July 2015, Harrellson joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2015 NBA Summer League.[47] On September 25, 2015, he signed with the Washington Wizards.[48] However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 24 after appearing in seven preseason games.[49] On December 18, 2015, he signed with Latvian club VEF Rīga for the rest of the season.[50]

In August 2016, Harrellson signed with Japanese club Osaka Evessa for the 2016–17 season.[51] The following summer he came terms with the Sun Rockers Shibuya. Harrellson later rejoined Osaka. In the 2019–20 season, he averaged 19.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game.[52]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 New York 37 4 14.6 .423 .339 .615 3.9 .3 .6 .5 4.4
2012–13 Miami 6 0 5.2 .444 .200 .500 1.2 .0 .2 .2 1.7
2013–14 Detroit 32 0 9.9 .463 .387 .714 2.4 .5 .2 .5 2.9
Career 75 4 11.8 .438 .347 .629 3.0 .3 .5 .4 3.5

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2012 New York 4 0 6.3 .444 .000 1.000 2.0 .0 .0 .0 2.5
Career 4 0 6.3 .444 .000 1.000 2.0 .0 .0 .0 2.5

Personal life

[edit]

Harrellson was born February 12, 1989, in St. Charles, Missouri.[12] He is the son of Doug Harrellson, a construction worker, and Karen Harrellson.[12][53] He has a brother and sister, and four nieces and nephews. He is married and has a daughter named Arianna.[53]

In August 2011, Harrellson noticed a drunk man attempting to drive from a bar in Lexington, Kentucky. The man slammed into Harrellson's parked car before attempting to take off, severely damaging it, and Harrellson and his friends helped ground the car and remove the keys from its ignition.[54]

References

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Josh Harrellson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Josh Harrellson (born February 12, 1989) is an American-Japanese professional player, known for his tenacious rebounding and defensive presence as a 6-foot-10-inch and . After a standout senior season at the , where he helped lead the Wildcats to the 2011 NCAA , Harrellson was selected in the second round of the and played 75 games across three seasons with the , , and before transitioning to a successful overseas career in leagues across , , , and , where he has continued to compete at a high level into his mid-30s.

Early Life and High School

Born in , to parents Doug and Karen Harrellson, Josh Harrellson developed his skills at St. Charles High School, where he amassed 1,325 points and 794 rebounds over his career under coach Gary Walker. Despite his solid high school performance, Harrellson initially attended Southwestern Illinois College for junior college before walking on to the in 2008, choosing the Wildcats over offers from , , Iowa State, , Ohio State, Purdue, and .

College Career at Kentucky

Harrellson's time with the spanned three seasons (2008–2011), during which he evolved from a limited-role player into a key contributor. In his first year at (2008–09), he appeared in 34 games, averaging 3.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, with notable performances including a career-high 15 points against and a (12 points, 10 rebounds) versus , earning him a spot on the Las Vegas Invitational All-Tournament Team. His second season (2009–10) was limited to 22 games due to depth on the roster, where he averaged just 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds. Harrellson broke out in his senior year (2010–11) under coach , starting all 38 games and posting career averages of 7.6 points and a team-leading 8.7 rebounds per game, including a 23-point, 14-rebound effort in a victory over rival Louisville. His rebounding prowess and energy were instrumental in 's run to the 2011 NCAA Tournament , where they fell to eventual champion UConn, solidifying his reputation as a gritty, undersized big man who earned the affectionate nickname "Jorts" from fans.

NBA Career

Selected 45th overall in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets (and immediately traded to the New York Knicks), Harrellson made an immediate impact in his rookie season (2011–12), playing in 37 games (six starts) and averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game. He recorded a career-high 18 points and 12 rebounds in a regular-season game and contributed modestly in the playoffs with 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds over four games. The following year (2012–13) with the Miami Heat, his role diminished to six games (1.7 points, 1.2 rebounds), and in his final NBA stint (2013–14) with the Detroit Pistons, he appeared in 32 games off the bench, averaging 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds. Over his three NBA seasons, Harrellson totaled 75 games, showcasing his rebounding instincts but struggling with limited athleticism and depth chart competition.

International Career and Later Years

Following his NBA tenure, Harrellson embarked on a prolific overseas career, playing in multiple leagues and accumulating over 5,000 professional points by 2023. He competed in , , , and before finding a long-term home in Japan's , where he has played for teams including the and earned dual U.S.-Japanese nationality. In Japan, Harrellson has thrived as a veteran leader, emphasizing defense and rebounding while adapting to the league's style; he continues to play for as of 2025. He debuted for the Japan national team in 2024, recording 21 rebounds in his first appearance during the Qualifiers. His international success underscores his resilience, having overcome early career hurdles to sustain a professional path well into his 30s.

Early Career

High school career

Josh Harrellson began playing organized as a at St. Charles High School in 2003, standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and initially struggling to secure a spot on the varsity team under coach Gary Wacker. His rapid physical development transformed his role; by his junior year, he had grown to 6 feet 8 inches and 250 pounds, enabling him to emerge as a dominant force in the paint. As a junior, Harrellson averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds per game, earning first-team All-State honors from the Basketball Coaches Association in Class 4. In his senior year of 2006–07, he elevated his performance further, averaging 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals over 30 games while shooting 58.4% from the field. These efforts helped lead the St. Pirates to a 23–8 record, a Class 4A district championship, and an appearance in the state semifinals; he was again named to the Class 4 first-team All-State squad. Harrellson also received second-team All-Metro recognition from the and was selected to the All-East Regional Tournament Team. Despite his on-court success, Harrellson was considered a , attracting minimal interest from major programs during his high school years due to his unheralded start and lack of early national exposure. Over his four-year career, he amassed 1,325 points and 794 rebounds, culminating in an all-state legacy at St. Charles.

College career

Harrellson began his career at Southwestern Illinois College during the 2007-2008 season. After one season at , Harrellson transferred to the in 2008, joining the Wildcats under head coach initially, before took over in 2009. In his first two seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10), he served primarily as a bench player, appearing in 34 games as a with averages of 3.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, and limited action in 22 games as a junior, averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds. His role expanded significantly in his senior year (2010-11) under Calipari, where he became a full-time starter in all 38 games, averaging 7.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 61.1% from the field. Harrellson formed key frontcourt dynamics alongside teammates like and, in the prior season, , providing physicality and rebounding support in a talented roster that emphasized versatility and defense. During the 2010-11 season, Harrellson led the in offensive rebounds with 140 and ranked second in total rebounds per game at 8.7, earning recognition for his tenacity on the glass. The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed in the East Region, reaching the before losing to , with Harrellson contributing solidly throughout, including 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Sweet 16 upset over No. 1 Ohio State. His postseason performance earned him a spot on the All-East Region Team.

Professional Career

NBA career

Harrellson was selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the before being traded to the on draft night. He made his NBA debut with the Knicks on December 25, 2011, and appeared in 37 games during the 2011-12 season, averaging 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while providing energy off the bench as a . On January 21, , Harrellson suffered a fractured right during a game against the , sidelining him for over six weeks and requiring surgery. He returned on February 29, , contributing in limited minutes as the Knicks reached the . In the Eastern Conference First Round against the , Harrellson played in all four games, averaging 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game, including a 4-point performance in New York's Game 3 win. Following the season, Harrellson was traded to the on July 11, 2012, but was waived and subsequently signed with the as a on September 17, 2012, where he appeared in just six games with minimal playing time before being waived on January 7, 2013. He then joined the on August 21, 2013, to a two-year contract, playing in 32 games during the 2013-14 season and averaging 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds before missing time due to a injury () starting in February 2014. Over his three NBA seasons, Harrellson appeared in 75 games total, facing challenges from recurring injuries, limited bench minutes, and the adjustment from a prominent college rebounder to a situational role player.

International career

After his NBA tenure, Harrellson began his international career in 2013 by signing with Brujos de Guayama of Puerto Rico's (BSN), where he contributed as a key frontcourt player before being released in May to pursue opportunities abroad. He then joined Chongqing Fly Dragons in 's National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2013 season, averaging 22.3 points and 18.2 rebounds per game en route to earning both league Player of the Year and Forward of the Year honors. In the 2014-15 season, Harrellson moved to the (CBA) with Beijing Fly Dragons, appearing in 14 games and showcasing his rebounding prowess with 8.4 boards per contest. Later that year, he returned to the BSN, rejoining Brujos de Guayama and averaging 11.8 points and 8.8 rebounds over the campaign. On December 18, 2015, he signed with Latvian club VEF Rīga for the remainder of the 2015-16 season, playing in the Latvian Basketball League and while posting double-digit scoring and rebounding averages. Harrellson transitioned to Japan in August 2016, signing with of the for the 2016-17 season, where he formed a formidable frontcourt duo and helped the team secure victories with strong interior play. He remained in the thereafter, playing multiple stints with (2018-2021) and Sun Rockers Shibuya (2017-18, 2021-23), adapting to the league's fast-paced, three-point-oriented style as a veteran center known for his rebounding and defensive presence. In September 2023, he joined , contributing to their promotion to B1 and continuing as a starter through the 2025-26 season. As of November 2025, Harrellson remains an active unrestricted in the NBA sense but is firmly established in , exemplified by his recent performance in ' 87-82 victory over former club on November 8, where he provided bench support with three rebounds in 10 minutes. His longevity overseas—spanning over a across four countries—highlights his evolution from a rebounding specialist into a reliable international starter, thriving in diverse playing environments.

Career Statistics

NBA regular season

Harrellson's NBA regular season career spanned three seasons with the , , and , where he primarily served as a reserve big man. His per-game averages across 75 appearances reflect a limited role, with career figures of 3.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.4 steals per game, while shooting 43.8% from the field, 34.0% from three-point range, and 65.1% from the free-throw line. The following table summarizes his per-game statistics by season:
SeasonTeamGPGSMPFGFG%3P3P%FTFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOPFPTS
2011–12NYK37414.61.7–4.0.4230.5–1.6.3390.4–0.7.6151.32.63.90.30.60.51.02.04.4
2012–13MIA605.20.7–1.5.4440.2–1.0.2000.2–0.3.5000.50.71.20.00.20.20.30.71.7
2013–14DET3209.91.1–2.4.4630.3–0.8.3870.4–0.6.7140.81.62.40.50.20.50.51.62.9
Career75411.41.2–2.8.4380.4–1.1.3400.4–0.6.6511.02.03.00.30.40.50.71.63.5
In total, Harrellson played 75 regular season games, accumulating 265 points and 227 rebounds. His limited sample size stemmed from a consistent bench role, with only four career starts, all during his rookie year. Harrellson's peak efficiency came in the 2011–12 season, when he posted his highest scoring and rebounding averages alongside solid defensive contributions in expanded minutes off the Knicks' bench.

NBA playoffs

Harrellson's only NBA playoff appearance came during the 2012 Eastern Conference First Round, where the faced the and were eliminated in five games with a 1-4 series loss. He entered four of those games off the bench, providing limited but necessary frontcourt depth amid the Knicks' injury challenges, including Iman Shumpert's torn ACL in Game 1 and Amar'e Stoudemire's hand injury that sidelined him for Game 4. In those contests, Harrellson averaged 2.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 6.3 minutes of playing time, contributing a total of 10 points and 8 rebounds across the series. His role was primarily as an emergency option to support in the , reflecting the Knicks' thin rotation at during the postseason. Harrellson did not appear in any other throughout his career, accumulating just those four games in total postseason action.

International leagues

Harrellson's international career began in 2013 with the Fly Dragons in 's National Basketball League (NBL), where he established himself as a dominant rebounder, averaging 22.3 points and 18.2 rebounds per game across the season and earning the NBL Player of the Year award after a standout performance of 30 points and 23 rebounds in a single game. In the following season, he transitioned to the (CBA) with the Beijing Fly Dragons, posting 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game over 14 appearances before an injury cut his stint short. His time in Puerto Rico's (BSN) spanned two seasons with the Brujos de Guayama. In 2013, he averaged 10.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 20 games, followed by a more extensive 2015 campaign where he improved to 11.8 points and 8.8 rebounds across 44 contests. Moving to Europe, Harrellson joined VEF Rīga in Latvia's (LBL) for the 2015–16 season, contributing 10.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in 26 outings, helping the team to a strong league standing. Harrellson has spent the majority of his later career in Japan's , showcasing versatility across multiple teams. Notable seasons include 2019–20 with (19.8 points, 12.7 rebounds per game) and 2021–22 with Sun Rockers (11.0 points, 8.9 rebounds in 52 games). As of November 14, 2025, in the 2025–26 season with , he has appeared in 16 games, averaging 5.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in limited minutes. Throughout his international tenure, Harrellson has maintained a career average of approximately 10 rebounds per game, underscoring his rebounding prowess as a consistent strength despite varying scoring outputs across leagues. This rebounding reliability, combined with defensive contributions like blocks, has been a hallmark, including his NBL Player of the Year impact in early on.
SeasonLeagueTeamGPPPGRPG
2013China NBLChongqing Fly Dragons-22.318.2
2014–151413.98.4
2013Brujos de Guayama2010.98.2
2015Brujos de Guayama4411.88.8
2015–16VEF Rīga2610.67.3
2019–20-19.812.7
2021–22Hitachi Sun Rockers5211.08.9
2025–26 (as of Nov 2025)165.15.1

Personal Life

Family

He is the son of Doug Harrellson, a , and Karen Harrellson. His parents accompanied him on recruiting visits, including to the , along with his brother. Harrellson has credited his grandfather for providing guidance during his formative years, prior to the grandfather's passing when Harrellson was in . Harrellson is married to Laura Harrellson. He and his wife have two children as of 2023, including a named Arianna. In 2023, Harrellson acquired Japanese citizenship. Due to his professional basketball career, Harrellson's family has relocated multiple times, including residing outside during offseasons and joining him in for several months each season.

Public incidents

In August 2011, while still a college player at the , Josh Harrellson intervened to stop a suspected drunk driver outside the Tin Roof bar in . Harrellson and several friends observed a man who appeared intoxicated enter his with young children in the backseat; the driver then accelerated erratically, crashing into Harrellson's parked twice and another before attempting to flee. The group, including Harrellson, pursued and climbed onto the to shut off the ignition, preventing the man from driving onto the highway and potentially averting a more serious accident. No injuries were reported, though Harrellson's sustained damage to the rear driver's side. The incident garnered positive media coverage and public praise for Harrellson's quick thinking and bravery, with reports highlighting the presence of children in the vehicle as a key factor in the urgency of the intervention. Occurring shortly after Harrellson was drafted by the in June 2011, the event contributed to a favorable public image of him as a responsible and heroic figure entering his NBA rookie season, enhancing his profile beyond athletics during the 2011-12 campaign. In 2017, Harrellson prevailed in a civil against Leon A. Smith, a former basketball staff member, whom he accused of defrauding him of significant funds while managing his investments early in his professional career. A Fayette awarded Harrellson $170,884.69 in compensatory damages and $1,025,308.14 in , totaling over $1.1 million, based on evidence that Smith had stolen money intended for Harrellson's financial security. This case was part of broader federal charges against Smith for defrauding multiple athletes of approximately $1.3 million through , , and .

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrejo01.html
  2. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6439/josh-harrellson
  3. https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article243820727.html
  4. https://state-journal.com/2022/06/14/harrellson-loving-life-as-professional-basketball-player-in-japan/
  5. https://www.wildcatworld.com/player/josh-harrellson/
  6. https://ukathletics.com/sports/mbball/roster/player/josh-harrellson/
  7. https://247sports.com/player/josh-harrellson-8008/
  8. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/josh-harrellson-1.html
  9. https://www.aseaofblue.com/2011/3/4/2029356/kentucky-wildcats-basketball-josh-harrellson-has-made-a-bigger-impact
  10. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/6439/josh-harrellson
  11. https://www.marshallcountydaily.com/2023/04/17/josh-harrellson-goes-over-5000-points-but-takes-even-more-pride-in-his-defense/
  12. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/49206/josh-harrellson
  13. https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2022/06/19/josh-harrellson-has-found-a-professional-home-in-japan/vaughts-views/
  14. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-asiacup-2025-qualifiers/news/asiacup-2025-qualifiers-news-where-does-harrellson-s-21-rebound-debut-rank-among-best-in-continental-cup-qualifiers
  15. https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/article/from-worst-player-on-team-to-uks-cog-in-middle-20671/
  16. https://stats.stlhighschoolsports.com/sports/basketballboys/stats/teamstatoverall.php?t=248&s=415
  17. https://www.nevadadailymail.com/story/1196257.html
  18. https://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/stcharles/education/article_993a44c6-a7b4-5377-abee-1550462dd32c.html
  19. https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article43969203.html
  20. http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Players/Harrellson_Josh.html
  21. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/sec/men/2011-leaders.html
  22. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/kentucky/men/2011.html
  23. https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/josh-harrellson-suffers-broken-wrist-will-be-out-more-than-six-weeks
  24. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrejo01/gamelog-playoffs/
  25. https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-waive-josh-harrellson
  26. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9589778/josh-harrellson-signs-2-year-deal-detroit-pistons
  27. https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2015/02/harrellson-puerto-rico.html
  28. https://www.asia-basket.com/China/National-Basketball-League_2013.aspx
  29. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/players/josh-harrellson-1.html
  30. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/VEF-Riga/11680/Roster/2015-2016
  31. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/08/25/basketball/b-league/osaka-brings-harrellson-help-man-middle/
  32. https://www.marshallcountydaily.com/2022/06/14/josh-harrellson-has-found-a-professional-home-in-japan/
  33. https://www.nationofblue.com/josh-harrellson-lands-deal-with-saga-ballooners-in-top-japanese-league/
  34. https://basketball.realgm.com/international/boxscore/2025-11-08/Osaka-Evessa-at-Saga-Ballooners/498468
  35. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/202931-josh-harrellson
  36. https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2012/05/a-memorable-2012-ends-badly-for-the-knicks-can-they-get-a-grip-on-next-season-071027
  37. https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/jorts-named-asia-basket-com-nbl-player-of-the-week-in-china/
  38. http://www.worldhoopstats.com/stats/bsn-pr/josh-harrellson.html
  39. https://www.nationofblue.com/josh-harrellson-signs-with-the-hitachi-sunrockers-in-japan/
  40. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/49206/josh-harrellson/games
  41. https://basketball.asia-basket.com/player/Josh-Harrellson/162348
  42. https://www.newstats.eu/players/josh-harrellson
  43. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/2011/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=6251607
  44. https://www.aseaofblue.com/2020/5/21/21266290/kentucky-wildcats-podcast-dad-josh-harrellson-uk-basketball
  45. https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2023/04/24/josh-harrellson-hopes-cats-can-get-back-on-track/vaughts-views/larryvaught/
  46. https://dahlia-dandelion-w84a.squarespace.com/latest-news/2023/9/7/saga-ballooners-adds-josh-harrellson-to-the-roster
  47. https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/34038/josh-harrelson-stops-drunk-driver
  48. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2017/08/02/uk-basketball-harrellson-case-offers-lesson-watch-your-back/530769001/
  49. https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Judge-awards-Harrellson-more-than-1M-in-suit-against-former-UK-staffer-437897943.html
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