Harden Taking Trips
Leonard Harden, a 6-9, 240 pound center/power forward from Garden City C.C. in Garden City, Kan., is in the process of taking several official visits this fall.
Rivalshoops.com caught up with Garden City Head Coach Earl Diddle on Wednesday afternoon, and he said that Harden returned from his first official visit to UNLV this past weekend.
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"I think his visit to UNLV went very well," Diddle said. "Leonard is very bright, and they are going to like Leonard and he's going to like them. They've worked real hard on him, and it's nice that schools who work hard are able to stay in there and get a visit."
Diddle added that Harden will visit Pittsburgh from Sept. 6-8, Auburn from Sept. 13-15, Cincinnati from Sept. 27-29 and Texas A&M from Sept. 20-22. Other schools in the mix include Miami and Kansas State.
"I think they are all good schools for Leonard," Diddle said. "Pitt has a great system of play, and Auburn plays in the SEC. I just want whatever is best for the kid, that's all I am concerned about."
Last year, Harden averaged 10.4 points and seven rebounds per contest. Rivalshoops.com caught Harden in action three times last winter, and he had gotten into considerably better shape than when we had seen him last summer at the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas.
So while he's not a gazelle or overly athletic, Harden is a skilled, physical space-eater in the low post.
"Style of play is really going to be important for him," Diddle pointed out. "His conditioning, although he's worked on it, is always a factor."
"He has very good offensive skills," Diddle continued. "He can shoot the medium range jump shot, he has good post moves and is a good passer. He also catches the ball very well."
"He has to be able to find a way to score against bigger people, because he's only 6-9, so he is going to have to be power oriented at times, and then also be able to finesse guys," Diddle concluded. "Style of play is everything to him."
We will keep you abreast of Harden's visits in upcoming weeks, so keep it here for the most thorough coverage of JUCO basketball recruiting.