Скачать или смотреть From No. 1 High School to Instant Impact: Bishop McNamara Freshman Shines for Lady Rams

🔥 FRESHMAN PHENOM ALERT 🔥
Welcome to the Go Rhody Podcast as host Scott Brand sits down with URI Lady Rams standout freshman Vanessa Harris, who is taking the Atlantic 10 by storm and playing with zero fear.
Head coach Tammi Reiss doesn’t mince words — she calls Harris “the best freshman I’ve ever recruited” and praises her for being absolutely fearless. And after watching her dominate early in the season, it’s hard to argue.
🎥 IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL SEE:
Tammi Reiss previewing Vanessa before the season
High school highlights from #1-ranked Bishop McNamara
Early-season Rhody highlights
Vanessa’s open-mic, unplugged moment at the end of the show
🏀 THE FAST RISE
Vanessa talks about how quickly success has come — and whether it’s really sunk in yet. Once considered overlooked in high school, she admits she never expected to come off the bench in college… but she also didn’t expect to make this kind of impact this fast.
📊 STAT LINE (11 GAMES):
⏱ 23.0 MPG (📈 going up)
🔥 12.5 PPG (📈 going up)
2.8 RPG
1.3 APG
1.5 SPG
44.3% FG
35.7% 3PT
62.5% FT (she admits this one surprised her 👀)
🧠 MENTAL TOUGHNESS & CLUTCH MOMENTS
Vanessa reveals the mindset that allows her to hit pressure-packed shots on the road, including clutch buckets at #16 NC State in front of nearly 5,000 screaming fans.
Late game. Tight score. Freshman moment?
👉 She wants the ball.
🎯 KEY CONVERSATIONS:
How she stays mentally tough
Why starting vs. coming off the bench doesn’t define her
What it’s like playing for Tammi Reiss
Her strengths — and what she’s still working on
Team goals vs. personal goals
🏆 HIGH SCHOOL ROYALTY
Vanessa reflects on her days at Bishop McNamara, finishing:
🥇 #1 team in the nation (Sports Illustrated)
🏀 30–2 record
🏆 Back-to-back WCAC championships
⭐ First-Team All-Conference on a roster loaded with D1 talent
👨‍👧 SUPERDAD MOMENT
She also talks about her father, Gregory Harris, a former standout at legendary DeMatha Catholic, and how basketball has always been part of her DNA.
🎓 WHY RHODY?
Despite interest from major P4 programs (including Arizona), Vanessa explains why Rhode Island was the right choice — calling her decision “all business” and shedding light on the non-glamorous reality of P4 education.
💬 FAN QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
Favorite players of all time
Who she models her game after
Expectations for herself and the team
Strengths, weaknesses, and growth areas
How her mindset has evolved coming off the bench
📈 HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Brand compares Vanessa’s freshman production to former URI great Charise Wilson, who averaged 16.1 PPG as a freshman and became an Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year — setting a benchmark that now serves as motivation.
🎤 FINAL MOMENT
The episode closes with Vanessa Unplugged — raw, real, and confident.
When Rhody is down late and the game is on the line…
👉 She wants the ball.
👇 LIKE • SUBSCRIBE • COMMENT
Is Vanessa Harris already one of the most impactful freshmen in URI women’s basketball history?
#GoRhody #URIWBB #VanessaHarris #A10Basketball #FreshmanPhenom #Clutch