For many college athletes, the final whistle of their senior year marks the end of a competitive chapter. For former Western New England (WNE) standout Jake Harrison, it was merely the prologue. After a historic collegiate career that included All-American honors and a deep NCAA DIII Sweet 16 run, the 6’5″ forward traded the familiar gyms of Massachusetts for the professional courts of Portugal with a crucial step in the middle: the EuroProBasket Summer League in Valencia.
Finding the Professional Spark
Harrison’s transition to the European game felt like a natural evolution. “Ever since I was a kid, playing professionally was the goal,” Jake shares. “Throughout high school and college, I was told I had a ‘European style’—working well in systems with a high IQ for fundamentals.” While the dream was always there, it was his sophomore year at WNE that turned “maybe” into “definitely.” Excelling at the collegiate level provided the necessary fuel to pursue a career across the Atlantic.
The EuroProBasket Bridge
The jump from NCAA Division III to the pros is a steep climb, but Jake found his footing at the EuroProBasket European Summer League in June 2025. The program acted as a professional “boot camp,” introducing him to the grueling reality of two-a-days, specialized lifting sessions, and tactical one-on-ones.
“The experience opened my eyes to what professional preparation actually looks like,” Jake explains. Beyond the physical toll, it was a masterclass in cultural immersion, pitting him against talent from the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, and across the US.
Adapting to the Portuguese Game
Now settled in Portugal, Jake has noticed a distinct shift in the game’s DNA. In the Portuguese league, it isn’t just about running a play and hoping for the best; it’s a game of chess. “It’s definitely more strategic,” he notes. “Every action is designed to create and attack a specific mismatch.”
Off the court, Jake is embracing the community in Gaia, even helping coach local youth teams. While he admits he isn’t bilingual yet, he’s mastered the essentials. “The most useful phrases I’ve learned are aqui (here) and ouvir (listen),” he laughs, adding with a wink, “I’ve also learned isso uma falta—that’s a foul.”
Chasing MVP Honors
At just 22, Jake’s goals are as much about personal growth as they are about points in the paint. While he aimed to help his team reach the promotion stage, his individual performance has exceeded expectations. He currently finds himself among the league leaders in the MVP race.
“Winning MVP would help prove who I am as a player,” Jake says. “Not just as someone who can contribute, but as someone who can lead and make a real impact.”
Advice for the Next Generation
For D3 players looking to follow in his footsteps, Jake’s advice is simple: show up. “Get in front of people. Film and stats help, but coaches want to see you play in person. All it takes is one person to see something in you to start that conversation.”
Below you have the full Q&A with Jake Harrison:
You had a historic career at Western New England (WNE), including a Sweet 16 run. At what point did you realize you wanted to take the leap and play professionally in Europe?
My dream of playing professional basketball had been my goal ever since I was a kid. Throughout high school and college I was told I had a European style of play. I work great in a system, have a high IQ for the fundamentals, and have a tough physical presence on the court. It wasn’t until my sophomore year in college, when I earned All-American honors that I thought I could really play at the next level professionally. Excelling at the collegiate level gave me the confidence to go for it.
You signed in Portugal following the EuroProBasket European Summer League in June 2025. How did that experience prepare you for the reality of playing overseas?
The EuroProBasket Summer League really opened my eyes to what it takes to play at the next level. The hours of training, the structure involved, and the system we were running showed me what professional preparation actually looks like. Two practices a day, lifting sessions, one-on-ones with coaching staff helped get me into great physical shape while learning the different style of play in Europe. The experience also helped prepare me by training and hanging out with such a diverse group of people. Summer League introduced me to people from other states in the US, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, etc.
What was the most valuable piece of advice the EuroProBasket coaches gave you before you headed to your new team?
The most valuable advice I received was that fitting into a team is about more than just playing well. It’s about how you acclimate to the environment you’re in. How well you adjust to situations on the court, or in the locker room, or within the community you play for. EuroProBasket helped me realize that you’re not going to play 40 minutes a game so you have to make the biggest possible impact in the minutes you’re given. You have to treat every possession like it matters, because it does and every opportunity is a chance to prove yourself.
European basketball is known for its tactical discipline. What has been the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make on the court in the Portuguese league?
The biggest adjustment has been the pace and the precision of the game. In Portugal, it’s less about just running a play to see what happens and hope someone gets open. In Portugal it’s definitely more strategic and more about executing with purpose. Every action is designed to create and attack a specific mismatch.
Have you picked up any Portuguese yet? What’s the most useful phrase you’ve learned so far?
Once I found out I was heading to Portugal I downloaded Duolingo in hopes to learn the basics at least. I’m nowhere near bi-lingual. I help to coach kids within the community of Gaia, so the most useful phrase I’ve learned is aqui (here) or ouvir (listen). I’ve also learned isso uma falta which means that’s a foul.
Beyond winning games, what are your personal goals for this first season as a professional?
Personally, the biggest goal for me was to grow as a person. I’m only 22 years old and while I did live away during college I knew moving to Europe and adjusting to being on my own was huge. Competitively my goal was to help the team reach the promotion stage and give the community exciting games to watch. As the season progressed, the team was winning games and I was playing well. My stats have placed me among league leaders for MVP. So another goal for me is to win MVP which wasn’t something I ever expected when I first got here. Winning MVP would help prove who I am as a player, not just as someone who can contribute, but as someone who can lead and make a real impact.
There are many D3 players with dreams of playing overseas. Based on your journey, what is the most important thing they should focus on to get noticed?
The biggest advice for others is to get in front of people. Sending emails with film and stats helps but having someone see you play in person is important. If your goal is to play in Europe I think it helps to get over there and be seen. Coaches want to see you play and basketball like most things are built on connections. The staff at EuroProBasket open the door for you to be seen and show off your skills. All it takes is one person to see something in you and that can start a conversation that leads to an opportunity. Sometimes you just need that first door to open.
