GeorgiaStateSports.com is taking a look at the three seniors who helped transform the men's basketball program into the success it is today. Each had a unique path to Georgia State, but each also led to success.
In life, sometimes it takes leaving home and hitting a few bumps in the road before returning to where it all started to have the ultimate success. As a high school superstar from nearby Marietta, Ga., Ryan Harrow left for Tobacco Road and then Big Blue Nation before returning to the city he starred in to have a different kind of success on and off the court.
Let's make it clear, it wasn't that his stints at NC State or Kentucky were failures by any stretch. However, it was more about finding the right fit which happened to be just 20 minutes from where he grew up.
“At both of my previous stops, my family and I felt like it was the right place for me at the time,” Harrow said. “Both had unique circumstances as to why I left, including Kentucky after my dad had a stroke back in Atlanta.
“I learned a lot about myself at both places, but getting to return home and be close to family has made me believe that my final decision was the best one I could have ever made.”
Family has always been extremely important to Harrow. You can find him on off days watching movies and just hanging out with his father, who can also be found cheering on Ryan at home and at many games on the road.
Coming home has led to success on and off the court. He earned All-Sun Belt First-Team honors last season and is scoring more than 20 points per game this season. He was named to the Lou Henson Midseason Watch List earlier this year as one of the top mid-major players in the country. It should be no surprise that being comfortable off the court has led to success on it.
“I am just in a better place now,” Harrow said. “I get to spend time with my mom, my dad, my family and friends and that is really important to me. I am where I grew up and all I have had to worry about is school and basketball. It really has worked out for me.”
Coming home has led to success for Harrow which has the Panthers on the verge of an NCAA tournament, maybe the perfect ending to this 'coming home' story.
