Q&A with transfer guard Ben Harvey
12/16/2019 | 10:01:00 | Men's Basketball
Sophomore guard Ben Harvey is sitting out this season after transferring to SIU from Eastern Illinois. He scored in double-figures 19 times as a true freshman at EIU in 2018-19, and he will be eligible to play for the Salukis in 2020-21. We sat down to get to know the Jonesboro, Arkansas, native.Â
Background
Parents: Martha and Kevin Harvey
Siblings: Older sister (Madi) and older brother (Sam)
How was the recruiting process out of high school?
I was overlooked. I had Division I scholarships. I'm from Jonesboro, Ark., where Arkansas State is, and they offered me in 10th grade. Coaching changes happened. Stephen F. Austin, Milwaukee, Wright State, and some more were all interested. I went to Eastern Illinois because the people helping me with the recruiting process told me to focus in on the coaching staff, the players, and who I would be around. I just loved the way Coach Spoon laid it out for me. He seemed like a good dude and someone I could get along with. We could see eye-to-eye on things. He's the main reason I went there.Â
Why did you transfer after one year there?
There was a culture aspect. In high school, I won a lot of games. I was used to that, and I didn't feel like Eastern Illinois was used to winning. The whole school didn't take pride in athletics. I didn't notice that going into it, but I later found it out. I knew Coach Pat from when he was at Milwaukee, so that was a factor in coming here.Â
Was it tough to go somewhere you have to sit out?
Right now it's hitting me. Thinking about the transfer process, at the time, I didn't think about it. I just knew I wanted to explore new options. I'm handling it pretty well. It's tough, but I'll be OK.
What were your expectations for SIU?
When I was transferring from Eastern, people were telling me it doesn't get much better — that there's always going to be something wrong everywhere you go. I would say that's completely not true. Coming to SIU, the coaches laid it out for me. They told me exactly what to expect, exactly how they were going to coach me, and what to expect. They told me the type of people they were bringing in to play alongside me. And it's been exactly what they said it would be. Even though I'm not playing this year, Coach (Mullins) is on me every practice, trying to make me a better player. We watch film. We have the right guys that want to win. It's about the right guys and the right teammates. I love SIU as a whole.Â
You came from a winning high school culture. What insight do you have for what a "winning culture" looks like?
The main thing of a winning culture is not being satisfied. If you win a game, there are things to be worked on, even if you win by 20. That's the main thing of a winning culture. Practice hard every day. Never be satisfied with your record, or with accomplishments. There are more things that go into it — recruiting the right guys and getting everyone on the same page. Everyone shares the same goal.Â
Do you have any individual goals?Â
Everyone I've been around my whole life has told me the same thing, and it's true — all the self accomplishment goals come with winning games and playing for your teammates. If you win and do the things you are supposed to do, the other stuff will come with that.Â
What inspires you?
My faith in God is the main reason I'm still playing basketball. I give all the glory to Him. When I was a senior, I struggled with whether I still wanted to play or not. I prayed about it and decided that's what I'm destined to do. God is the main reason I push through, along with my family and trying to make them proud.Â
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