Prospect Spotlight: Tahj Harding (2019)
Tahj Harding is a 6’4 junior forward from Newport High School in Newport, KY. Through 15 games, the Wildcats are 11-4 and 4-1 in region play, and there’s no doubt Harding’s play has had an impact on Newport’s mid-season success. “(The season) has been going well. We have a couple losses where maybe we should’ve won, but we’ve progressed a lot,” said Harding. Tahj is currently averaging 16 points and 11.7 rebounds per game.
Going into the season, Harding had laid out a set of goals he would like to accomplish this year. “We would like to win the All-A Classic, win our district and regional tournaments, and hopefully make a run during the state tournament.” Newport should be very competitive in all three with Harding joined on the floor by senior guard and Pikeville commit MeKell Burries. Burries is averaging 22.7 points per game
Last summer saw Harding playing AAU basketball with Shining Stars out of the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati are of the Bluegrass State. “The summer went well, too. My recruitment wasn’t very high, but I had a couple camp invites. I felt like my game went to another level throughout.”
Tahj’s strengths on the floor right now is rebounding the basketball, scoring inside, and exploiting mismatches against smaller defenders at his position. “Some things I’ve been working to improve are my ball handling and dribble pull-up.”
In the classroom, Harding states that he is a good student. In looking for a place to go to school and play at the next level, Tahj hopes to find a somewhere that cares about him as an individual and where he can excel both on and off the court.
Currently holding no offers, Harding has been shown some interest from Findlay University (D2) and Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA). Both have invited him to attend camps at their respective schools.