Prospect Spotlight: Da’Vonshai Harden (2020)
TOPEKA, Kan. — A versatile, all-around player, Highland Park forward Da’Vonshai Harden is a strong rebounder who can defend multiple positions and can play the 1-4 at the offensive end.
Harden has a strong post game, can shoot the 3 and mid-range game and can bring the ball up the court. He has earned a reputation as one of the state’s top young 2020 players after a strong summer with MoKan Elite 15U.
Harden got an opportunity to see a lot of court time as a freshman for a talented Scots squad and said the opportunity helped him grow as an athletes.
“My confidence grew and I feel like I became a better student of the game,” he said.
Harden says he remembers attending the Hillcrest Community Center at 7-years old and worked out with his older brother Oshai Clark and Tony Barksdale.
“I have been raised in a competitive environment,” he said. “Whether it was football, basketball or baseball, I was taught early on how to compete and work hard … I was blessed to play for a strong Top City Crush football program that helped make me tougher and more aggressive.”
Harden says he looks forward to playing teams in the Highland Park’s Centennial League as well as Topeka Hayden.
“I look forward to playing Hayden High School and Zack Harvey,” Harden said. “They have a really good team and Zack is one of the top players in the nation for his class.”
Harden says he enjoys watching Lebron (James) and KD (Kevin Durant) play.
“I feel like there are parts of my game that are similar,” he says. “I watch their footwork and how they play the game closely.”
A multiple-sport standout who also excels on the football field, Harden has drawn interest from several schools in both sports. In addition to several Division II programs, Harden has heard from Illinois State, Central Michigan, Indiana State and Kansas.
“Going into my sophomore year, I know I have to stay focused on my grades and keep working hard,” he said. “The rest will take care of itself.”