November Halftime Report - DJ Harvey '24

Most of DJ Harvey’s time these days revolves around the sport of basketball – he plays year-round and spends almost all his free time in the gym, working to improve his game to be the best. That’s always been his goal – to step onto any court, with any team, in any game, and not just compete, but win. And when you look at his resume, it’s pretty clear he’s been able to do just that – a two-time state champion, two-time All-Region, and a number of individual honors, including Co-MVP last year, Leadership Award his freshman year, and Class A Pre-season Top 5 heading into this last high school season.

Baseball was actually DJ’s first love, but after his family moved to Greenville in 2013, he started to focus more seriously on basketball. He started to play more as a way to make friends in a new city, but before long, the competitor in him kicked in and he just wanted to be the best player on the court. Harvey says he has no regrets in giving up baseball, but basketball is just a natural part of his day-to-day life now. 

When DJ came to CCES in the 7th grade, he immediately made the Boys Varsity Basketball team, playing under Head Coach John Butler from day one. Butler describes the decision as easy because it was obvious that DJ was “far too skilled to play middle school basketball.”

In addition to his basketball skills, Butler noticed DJ stood out as “smart and socially mature” for his age, a refrain DJ has heard from a lot of adults over the years. This maturity made being a part of a team comprised of older players feel pretty natural to him. On the court, it was a little bit harder to adjust to the varsity level – the speed, pacing of the game, and strength of other players were much more advanced. But DJ is a quick learner and was soon earning playing time and finding ways to contribute. He says of that first year, “Getting accustomed to the speed and style of play that early was extremely beneficial.”

As DJ’s varsity career continued, he quickly established himself as a leader on the team. He may not be the most vocal or obvious on the court, but he is steady and seemingly unflappable under pressure. His quiet confidence allows him to deftly navigate defensive pressure with his ball handling, make the extra pass without hesitation, or sink a timely jumper – he does whatever the team needs from him and others often follow suit.

As he heads into his senior season, he is focused on becoming an even better leader than he has been in the past. He says, “I hope to inspire a new culture at CCES, one that will last for [Boys Basketball] generations to come.” DJ is confident the team can defend their title and that’s at the top of his list for this season.

When DJ is not playing at CCES, he is playing AAU basketball. He’s played with a number of teams over the years, but perhaps the most impactful was Team200, his dad’s organization. DJ’s dad originally started the program with the goal of developing young men to be the best versions of themselves, both on and off the court. DJ played for Team200 from 3rd through 8th grade and if his memory is correct, their team never lost a game in the state of South Carolina.

Managing his packed schedule can appear overwhelming from the outside – he has his school basketball schedule, his AAU team schedule, and other off-season training, as well as academic and family commitments. But DJ handles it the way he handles a full-court press – with balance and poise. And of course it helps that he simply loves the game of basketball. 

As DJ wraps up his last year at CCES, he has nothing but positive things to share about his experience here. Christ Church has taught him a lot over the years, including time management and how to conduct himself in a professional manner. He says, “Everything – the curriculum, alumni, faculty, and campus – has had an effect on me.” 

While CCES has had an impact on DJ, it is safe to say the opposite is also true – this school community is better for having DJ Harvey be a part of it. Upper School Instructor and dedicated basketball fan, Reed Halvorson, notes that DJ is universally recognized and admired by his peers. Reed has watched DJ carry himself in a consistent manner that “instantly elevates” whatever environment he is in – the classroom, advisory, or the basketball court. He says, “It has been a pleasure and honor to have a front row seat and witness DJ grow and succeed at CCES the past four years.”  

DJ hopes to play collegiate ball, but he is still weighing his options. He wants to find a school that can provide opportunity for both athletic and academic success. While Coach Butler is excited for whatever this next chapter looks like for DJ, he is grateful for one last season with him. He calls DJ “one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached and exactly what every coach wants in a point guard.” He points to DJ’s steady nature under pressure, high intelligence, and toughness, both mentally and physically. Coach Butler says, “CCES Basketball would not be where it is today without DJ Harvey.”

DJ’s future is still undecided, but whatever path he chooses, he will continue to lead with his calm nature and quiet confidence. He will elevate whatever school community he attends and they will be better for it. In the meantime, CCES will cheer on DJ and the Boys Basketball team this season as they try to defend their title. Something tells us that if DJ Harvey sets his mind to it, there’s a pretty good chance it will happen.