On Harkless: A complete basketball player and an extremely skilled local talent ... rated as high as the nation's No. 38 prospect overall and the No. 10 small forward by recruiting services ... an athletic, rangy shooter with great length on the defensive end of the floor ... scores in bunches and in a variety of ways ... can contribute at shooting guard and both forward positions.

Steve Lavin On Harkless: "Moe is the best player in New York City. He is an excellent athlete, highly-skilled and versatile enough to contribute at multiple positions. Our staff is pleased with Moe's decision to come to St. John's because it is especially vital for us to secure the top talent in the New York-New Jersey metro area. In terms of attracting top New York City talent, Moe is going to be our `pied piper.' His choice in coming to St. John's will lead other elite local talent back to New York City's college basketball program."

At South Kent (Conn.): Averaged 27.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.1 blocks and 1.6 steals per game as a senior ... earned Most Valuable Player honors at the 2011 Kobe Bryant Classic in Philadelphia, Pa., the 2011 Port Chester CYP in Port Chester, Pa., the 2010 National Prep Showcase in New Haven, Conn., and the 2010 Big Apple Basketball Challenge in Manhattan ... took home East team MVP honors at the All-American Classic Championship in Houston during the 2011 NCAA Final Four after scoring a team-best 15 points ... played against STJ teammate D'Angelo Harrison in that game ... coached at South Kent by Kelvin Jefferson.

At Forest Hills: Named the New York Daily News Queens High School Player of the Year in 2009-10 after averaging 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds ... earned all-metro honors from both the Daily News and New York Post in 2008-09 and 2009-10 ... named the Most Outstanding Player of the Hoop Group Elite in Reading, Pa. in 2010 ... earned MVP honors at the 2010 Desert Duel in Phoenix, Ariz.

Personal: Maurice Jose Harkless ... born in New York City ... son of Rosa Harkless, and also raised by grandmother Barbara Harkless ... has one sister, Shakima Harkless (23), and a brother, Tyler Rodgers (6) ... chose St. John's because of the coaching staff, its location close to home in New York City and the history of the basketball program ... majoring in communications.

UP CLOSE WITH MOE HARKLESS
Nickname: Moe.
Favorite movie/TV show: "Big Daddy"/"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".
Favorite actor/actress: Will Smith and Adam Sandler.
What's on my iPod/iPhone: Jay-Z and Drake.
Favorite food: Crab legs.
Favorite place to hang out on campus/NYC area: The dorms.
Favorite class: Kinesiology.
Favorite book: "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe.
Since coming to St. John's I've learned: Sleep is VERY important.
Hero/Role model: My mom.
Favorite athlete/sports team: Derek Jeter/Oklahoma City Thunder.
Favorite St. John's athlete: Chris Mullin.
I came to St. John's because: I thought it was a great fit and I had a chance to win it all.
Best thing about St. John's: Playing basketball.
One word to describe me on the court: Diverse.
One word to describe me off the court: Relaxed.
St. John's basketball player that will surprise you this year: Phil Greene.
After St. John's or after basketball career, I'd like to: Play in the NBA.
If I could have dinner with three people (in history or today): Michael Phelps, Superman and Barack Obama.
What do you want to accomplish this season: Win a national championship.
Favorite quote: "Either find a way or make one."
Funny superstitions/pregame rituals: Just zone out with music.
If I were president for the day I would: Give better opportunities to minorities and people in need.
If I were Coach Lavin for the day I would: Make managers run 17s.
The teammate that inspires me is: Malik Stith.
If I could switch places for a day with any person (real or fictional) I'd be: Harry Potter so I could cast spells.