The Detroit Pistons are suddenly looking like one of the biggest surprises of the NBA playoffs — and Tobias Harris has quietly been one of the biggest reasons why.
The veteran forward has spent the season helping stabilize a young Detroit roster, averaging 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while bringing playoff experience to a team that hadn’t won a postseason game since 2008. Off the court, he’s spent his career being open about the Christian faith that has shaped his approach to basketball, leadership and life.
“In the NBA, you go through a lot of ups and downs,” Harris said in a 2014 interview with Darrell Johnson. “You’ve just got to continue to trust God’s plan.”
That perspective has stayed consistent throughout Harris’ 13-year NBA career. During a 2021 appearance on Pastor William McDowell’s Deeper Worship Intensive course, Harris explained that he tries not to let the emotional swings of the league define him.
“I always try to make sure that the workspace that I’m in — the NBA, there’s highs and lows — but I always make sure that I never let the highs and lows truly determine my true happiness as a person,” he said.
Harris also spoke about the role gratitude and service play in his faith.
“Every day that I wake up understanding how blessed I am, how fortunate I am,” Harris said. “When I do a lot of the community outreach with the youth, I can easily see the blessings that I’ve had in my life, even as a young kid growing up.”
He’s been equally direct about wanting his faith to remain visible no matter what comes after basketball.
“If I’m playing basketball in the NBA or if I’m a principal at a school, which is something I would love to do when my career is over, I’m going to find ways to always bring Christ out in my life,” Harris said.
Back in 2015, Harris framed his faith in even simpler terms.
“Any person I meet, I try to embrace them and show them love so that they know I’m a Christian,” he told Razz and Jazz Sports. “Jesus Christ was a loving man. And as Christians, we have to try to model our lives after Jesus Christ.”
Harris also regularly posts Bible verses and faith-focused reflections on social media, something fans have continued to notice during Detroit’s playoff run.
Thursday night was another example of Harris’ steady impact. He finished with 21 points as the Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97 to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals — continuing the kind of reliable season Detroit has leaned on from him all year.
