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Penn State forward John Harrar nabs All-Big Ten honorable mention nod

nate-mug-10.12.14by:Nate Bauer•03/08/22•

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Former Penn State forward John Harrar and the Happy Valley Hoopers know their first-round opponent in next month's TBT.

Penn State senior forward John Harrar is wrapping his career as a Nittany Lion with honors. 

For the second time, Harrar nabbed All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon. No other Penn State players were among the All-Big Ten first, second, or third teams revealed via Twitter.

As a super senior, Harrar has produced his best performance at Penn State.

In a career-high 26.9 minutes per game, Harrar has averaged a double-double through the season. His 10.5 points are fourth in scoring while his 10.3 rebounds are tops on the team.

John Harrar’s Penn State impact

More important than any statistical contribution, Harrar’s impact on the Penn State basketball program is clear to those outside it. Particularly evident in the Lions’ 62-58 upset win over Michigan State in February, Spartans head coach Tom Izzo stressed its value.

“Look at our league. He’s the kind of guy that you want to represent your league. He just keeps doing his job,” Izzo said. “There’s no question John Harrar was the difference in the game. 

“He’s done something that is illegal now, he’s gone through the process and he’s done a nice job of that. He’s gotten better every year and he doesn’t complain about what he’s doing. Just keeps getting stronger, better, and tonight he was the hero.”

For Penn State, that has been the case throughout the season.

Manning a strong forward position light on available depth, with Greg Lee suffering injuries to keep him out more than half the season, Harrar has been a mainstay. Starting all of Penn State’s 28 games, Harrar’s place as a fixture in the Nittany Lion lineup has been matched only by that of Jalen Pickett.

Coming to deeply respect and appreciate that effort, Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry has repeatedly professed his admiration for Harrar this season. 

“John’s a warrior. He gives you everything he has,” Shrewsberry said. “I talk about those clips that we’re going to show with John. These will be some of them. You can play this hard. If John can do it, anybody can do it, in terms of effort. This is pure effort, heart, determination, and love for Penn State. He wants Penn State to do really well.”

Next steps for Harrar

Set to play his final Big Ten Tournament this week, Harrar is determined to continue to make as many contributions to the program as he can in the time he has left as a Penn State player.

“I will never give to this place what they gave me,” Harrar said late last month. “I have a saying right now, that I have more to give. So I have a little more to give to this university with my time here left, but this place has done everything for me. It made me the person I am today. It helped my family. I’ve met lifelong friends here.”

Harrar is one of only two Big Ten players to average a double-double this season. He also received the Penn State designation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for the third time in his career.

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