Growing up in Western part of the country, Ethan Harris watched a lot of PAC-12 basketball. Then conference realignment hit. His attention began turning to Big Ten. The University of Iowa popped up on his radar.

“I watched Luka Garza and, then, Caitlin Clark, being a big fan of her,” he said.

It gave first-year Hawkeye men’s basketball coach Ben McCollum a foundation when he began recruiting Harris, whose hometown of Camas, Wash., sits 20 miles northeast of Portland, Ore. From there, Iowa had a recruit willing to travel, in a good way.

“I was telling my parents I was going to be with the team 24-7. Even if I went to Washington, I wouldn’t be going home,” Harris said.

The Huskies joined Iowa, Gonzaga and Boise State among Harris’ finalists. He officially visited all of them, capping the tour with a stop at Gonzaga on Sept. 9. Less than a week later, Harris was a Hawkeye.

“All the schools were great schools. They all did phenomenal in a lot of the categories that I feel are important. Iowa just did the best in them,” he said.

Harris is a late-bloomer. He entered the summer without a Power 4 offer. That’s unique, but also the product of the transfer portal leaving preps to wait their turn.

McCollum is piecing together his roster in Year 1 on the job. The former Drake and Northwest Missouri coach hit the high notes with Harris.

“I want a coach who’s going to push me really hard. Everybody can talk about how great their player development is, but he really shows you how he’s going to get it done. He hasn’t coach at Iowa yet, but he’s coached elsewhere, and he’s won elsewhere. He’s won big time elsewhere,” Harris said.

The 6-foot-9, 200-pound power forward ran with Select Basketball on the PRO16 (Puma) club circuit. He convinced Power 4 coaches he was worthy of a scholarship but understands preparations are necessary for the next level.

“I think a big thing is going to be putting on weight. To be able to get on the court and play, I’m going to have to be 215, 220 of just good, solid muscle. It’s a grown-man’s game,” he said.

Those on-court challenges will start upon arrival at Iowa, where he bonded with the current student-athletes during his official visit.

“We had a team barbecue. It was player oriented. We just had a ton of fun. Our personalities are alike,” Harris said.

McCollum shared a vision with Harris of how he’ll fit in with those guys beginning next year.

“He calls it a hybrid. I’m a perfect example of that. Somebody who gives 100 percent effort. Somebody who has a ton of energy, offensively and defensively. When there’s a rebound in the air, I’m going to go get it; just an all-around type of player,” Harris said.

People around Harris understood why he would choose the Hawkeyes.

“I was really impressed with the Iowa staff and their ability to recognize Ethan for who he is as a person, and how he can positively impact the team culture,” Camas coach Scott Thompson said. “Coach McCollum is going to build something special at Iowa, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the program and Ethan.”

As he said, Thompson believes his pupil is an addition on and off of the court.

“Ethan is a kid that checks every box. He is an incredible basketball player, but an even better human. His positive energy is contagious, and when you step on the court with him everyday you can’t help but bring your very best,” Thompson said.

“He’s a 6-8 athlete that loves to defend. He attacks the rim relentlessly and is an elite shooter from the perimeter. He is a very special player.”

Harris knew he’d secured a solid education no matter which of his finalists he chose. His academic path has been formed by watching his mother, Carla Harris, who helps people lose weight through healthy measures.

Ethan will enroll in Iowa’s Tippie School of Business.

“My mom’s a business owner. I think that’d be just a really cool job,” he said. “Iowa’s going to challenge me for when the ball does stop bouncing eventually, which I hope is when I’m 80.”

A sense of relief arrived with his commitment. He can focus on playing basketball and the free time he also cherishes.

“The biggest thing is just getting in touch with nature. If I can go on a hike, hang out with friends. When I get away from basketball, I get away from basketball so that when I get back I’m even hungrier,” he said.