Providence transfer Tyler Harris plans to visit Auburn

AUBURN -- A family connection is bringing one of the top players on the transfer market to Auburn for a visit, and maybe more.

Former Providence forward Tyler Harris, the younger brother of Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris, who played for Bruce Pearl at Tennessee, is planning to visit Auburn before deciding where he'll transfer to play his final season of college basketball, according to his father.

"That's family down there," said Terrell Harris, Tyler's father, of Pearl and assistant coach Tony Jones. "I got to visit to see what's going on. That's a no-brainer."

Tyler Harris, currently the No. 6 ranked available transfer by ESPN, averaged 9.9 points and 4.4 rebounds while making 12 starts in 34 games at Providence last season. The 6-foot-9 232 pound forward is slated to graduate in May and will be eligible to play in the fall.

Terrell Harris said he already heard from Pearl and assistant coaches Jones and Chuck Person on a conference call.

"They're trying to do some special things down there," Terrell Harris said. "One thing I know about Bruce Peal form my experience, he went through a tough time at Tennessee (while Tobias Harris played for the Volunteers in 2010-11), but even in a tough time he still made the NCAA (Tournament)."

Harris confirmed an SNY report that his son is also considering Arizona, Boston College, Georgia Tech, UMASS, La Salle, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Tennessee and UCONN, which they visited on Wednesday.

The family plans to take the weekend to trim the list down to three or four schools and then take visits, with Auburn being one, over the following weekends with a target date of May 15 for deciding on where to transfer. It's unclear when Harris would be on the Plains, though April 17-22 is a recruiting period with Auburn's A-Day on April 18.

"The main thing is we're looking to a school that can make it to the (NCAA) Tournament and make a big run and win the tournament," Terrell Harris said. "Tyler feels that if they have if they have all the pieces there, he can be that impact player that can take them over the hump and lead them to the tournament."

Tyler Harris averaged 11.6 points and 5.1 points in during the 2013-14 season after sitting out in 2012-13 following a transfer from North Carolina State. The Dix Hills, New York native helped lead Providence to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 1988-89 and 1989-90.

Auburn is expected to sign Horace Spencer on April 15, which would put the Tigers at the scholarship limit (13) following the departure of Matthew Atewe. If Harris, or other potential transfers, were to choose to come to Auburn it would require additional personnel turnover.