Who is Jay Harris? The ESPN Sportscenter anchor has been with the station for 7 years and continues to grow with the sports news channel. Here is a quick background of the TV personality form his own mouth to you, followed by a Q&A with Jay!

Name:   Jay Harris
DOB:   February 22, 1965, but I accept birthday gifts year around : -)
Hometown:   Born in Norfolk, VA (raised in Chapel Hill, NC)
College:  Old Dominion University
Favorite Team:  Don’t have one favorite, so I’ll say ODU
Favorite ESPN Anchor besides yourself:  Too tough….all of them are so good….

NBAtoday: Let’s start off with a throwback question – in High School did you more of a jock or a nerd?  Did you play any sports in High School and was it ever your dream to be a professional athlete?

Jay Harris: Can you be a jock nerd?  I played basketball for 2 years.  Well, let me clarify…I was on the team.  : -)  I didn’t make the team my senior year, and I never had professional aspirations.  I was realistic.

NBAtoday: At Old Dominion University, what was your major and was it always a goal of yours to be an ESPN analyst/SC anchor?

JH: I majored in Speech Communications. My longtime goal was the Today Show, or Good Morning America. ESPN just sort of happened.

NBAtoday: What was your first experience as an anchor, whether it was an internship, part-time or full time job? Did you begin in sports, or regular news?

JH: My first real experience as an anchor was my first real job — news reporter/anchor at then WRAP Radio in Portsmouth, VA.  I also anchored my student new show at Hampton University during my last semester of college. I still have the tape. But you’ll never see it!

 NBAtoday: How did the interview process at ESPN go? Did you interview for an analyst position or did you work your way up to the grand stage?

JH: I was one of 5 people brought in to fill an anchor position, mainly for ESPNews. I was the 3rd one who auditioned. I guess I did something right. Then I interviewed with what seemed like about 30 producers and executives, who decided to invite me to join their team.

NBAtoday: What’s it like working with Scott Van Pelt (‘The Ref’ on our site really enjoys him)?

JH: Scott is a pro’s pro. He knows his stuff, and he gets the entertainment part. But he never makes it about him. He’s really good.  

NBAtoday: Is it true that you guys at ESPN write your own commercials? Were you responsible for the Usain Bolt one? What is your favorite commercial you have taken part in or written (again, if you guys write them)?

JH: No, we don’t write the commercials, an outside marketing firm handles that. And they pick who they think would fit well with whatever concept they come up with. We do write our own copy for our shows. As for the commercials, if you forced me to pick a favorite one I’ve been in, it might be the one with the New Jersey Devil mascot and the elevator. We were shooting another commercial, and the talented folks in charge made the elevator commercial up on the spot.

NBAtoday: What do you enjoy most about being a SC anchor?

JH: I honesty just like being able to have fun doing something I love to do…and giving kids something to reach for.

NBAtoday: If you were given the opportunity to trade in your job as a SC anchor to play for your favorite team in any sport for one day, what team would it be and who would play alongside you?

JH: Well, I grew up a Celtics fan, so I’d love to camp out on the 3-point line and take the last second shot to win a game, or muster all my youthful jumping ability and catch an alley-oop from Rajon Rondo, and just posterize someone.

NBAtoday: What athlete has inspired you the most?

JH: Tough question. There are 2:  Muhammad Ali (he strives to be the best Ali he can be every day), and Bill Russell (I’ve always admired his strong sense of self).  And they both worked hard not just at their respective sports, but for the betterment of human kind.

NBAtoday: Who was your favorite interview that you’ve conducted while at ESPN?

JH: No way I can answer that one. I’ve had so many fun chats, from LeBron James, Diana Taurasi, D-Wade, Carl Edwards, Jamie Foxx, Jimmie Johnson, P-Diddy…..so many more….picking a favorite is impossible.

NBAtoday: How has twitter affected you life?

JH: I like being able to interact with fans. I’ve met some really cool people I never would have known without social medias like Twitter and Facebook.

NBAtoday: Is there any chance we can get a shout out on ESPN by you somehow, someway?

JH: Ummmm, no. Sorry.  Do you know how many people want me to shout them out? There is a long line. I mean, I’d do it, but you all would have to subsidize my life after I was let go. If you can work that out, maybe…… : -)

We would like to thank Jay for his time and enthusiasm for this interview, despite not giving us a shout out on ESPN, haha! Nevertheless, we’ll be watching him! Thanks again Jay!