Alyssa Harris may be in her first year as a sophomore walk-on at Northern Arizona University, but going to school and playing basketball in the Grand Canyon State is home.
Harris grew up in Kaibeto, Ariz., on the Navajo reservation. A proud member of the tribe, she understands the significance of her journey to the court. When she joined the NAU Women's basketball team in the fall, Harris became one of just 14 Native American women competing at the Division I level, and the one of two in the Big Sky Conference.
Growing up in Kaibeto, she was surrounded on the reservation by those who experienced challenges and obstacles, such as poverty and drugs, access to quality education and sparse amounts of role models and mentors. She learned from a young age that sports—and basketball—would be "a way out".
Harris committed fully to making that a reality and found success during her teenage years at Page High School. In her senior year for the Sand Devils, Harris and her team won the state championship, and she was awarded as the 3A Conference Player of the Year and Regional Offensive Player of the Year. Along with these athletic accolades, she graduated from Page with a 4.0 GPA and was valedictorian of her class. After that season, Harris earned a Division III offer to go to Husson University in Maine. This new opportunity also meant moving across the country, far from family and community.
At Husson, Harris had a solid first year at the collegiate level, playing in 21 games, totaling 116 points, 45 rebounds and 31 assists. Still, she was ready to be closer to home, but she was not willing to give up on her basketball career just yet.
"I feel like I had to go away to Maine to realize that I really want to stay home and be around my community," she said, speaking of the dislike she had for being so far from Arizona.
Returning home to Northern Arizona came with joy, but also uncertainty. Not having a clear path for her playing career, Harris leaned on her faith to help lead her in a grey period.
"I was so scared because I didn't think I was going to continue playing basketball," said Harris.
The summer before attending Northern Arizona University, she contacted the program to see if a walk-on tryout was possible. After being told they would let her know, the wait began. The wait was a difficult time, filled with doubt and fear that her playing career was over. Then in September, she finally got that call she was hoping for—an invitation to try out for the team.
Following her tryout and the notification of making the team later in the fall, Harris found her place back on the court.
"I tried to stay calm, but it was really emotional for me, especially when I called my parents," Harris said. "A very surreal moment for me."
The transition, however, was not easy. Moving from Division III to Division I came with its own hardships and adjustments. The pace of play, conditioning and mental toughness required challenged her early in the season, but she has remained committed to the Lumberjacks.
Following NAU's last outing against Northern Colorado, Harris has made 11 game appearances this season, totaling nine points, five steals, five rebounds and three assists.
Still, her journey is not just about playing basketball. Harris recognizes the impact she can have on young kids who share the same background. The importance of this representation, especially for young Native American athletes who may not see themselves represented at the highest collegiate level, is not lost on her.
"It really means a lot to me, being that kind of role model for my community. The experiences that I am going to have, and the knowledge that I have about being recruited now. I can help so many more Native American kids get recruited and get seen through the connections that I am building right now."
When her playing career eventually comes to an end, Harris knows she wants to be involved in the game. She wants to be that role model for little girls all around, but especially those who grew up on the reservation like her, noting the stark difference between being the majority in Kaibeto, and then being a tiny minority "barely represented" just a few hours away.
Coaching and mentoring, especially in her hometown, is a central part of who she is and who she hopes to become.
"I feel like I can be a bigger role model and help more kids now that I am back home."
Returning to Northern Arizona was more than a transfer back home—it was a way for her to remain connected to her community and be that role model for the kids in the same place that she grew up.
