Harp signs to William Jewell

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Kirkwood men's basketball player Byron Harp ended his recruitment this afternoon by signing on to continue his athletic and academic career at William Jewell College.

Harp will be leaving Kirkwood remembered as not only one of the most steady players in the program's recent history, but also as a national champion after guiding the Eagles to the title in 2016.

Harp, a point guard hailing from Ankeny, Iowa, established his presence coming off the bench during his freshman season. Harp averaged 5.5 points and 1.6 assists per game while connecting on 47 percent of his 3-point attempts and shooting a team-leading 87 percent from the free throw line. He also had a solid 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio which ranked him 10th in the ICCAC. Harp was also steady in the classroom, being named to the First Team Academic All-Region.

Harp's freshman year will most be remembered for his fantastic play throughout the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. Going into the national tournament, Harp averaged 4.4 points per game but he dazzled on the NJCAA's biggest stage, averaging 15.5 points per game for the tournament. In the Eagles' quarterfinal game, an overtime win versus Louisburg (NC), Harp was crucial down the stretch, scoring nine of his 15 points in overtime to seal the win. In their next game, a Final Four matchup against Essex County (NJ), Harp led the Eagles to the most remarkable comeback in NJCAA Tournament history, pouring in a game-high 22 points and leading the Eagles back from a 23-point second half deficit, thus securing their place in the national championship game. In the title game versus Triton, Harp once again continued his incredible tournament run by scoring 15 points and lifting to the Eagles to their first national championship since 1998. Harp's play earned him a well-deserved spot on the National Tournament All-Tournament Team.

Following the graduation of First Team All-American Hunter Rhodes, Harp moved into a full-time starting role for his sophomore season and upped his game and his numbers across the board. He more than doubled his scoring output to 11 points per game while dishing out nearly 4 assists, and grabbing 3 rebounds per game. Harp led the ICCAC in 3-point percentage (58.1) while ranking third in assists per game (3.8), and fifth in assists-to-turnover ratio (2.5). Harp was recognized by the league for his play by being named a First Team All-Region performer on the court, and, for the second consecutive year, a First Team Academic All-Region member for his work in the classroom as well.

The William Jewell Cardinals are an NCAA Division II school and compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Their men's basketball program is led by Hall of Fame head coach Larry Holley. William Jewell College is located in Liberty, MO.