Harding excited for opportunity with Pitt State basketball

By Andy Brown
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Updated: July 30, 2019

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Grant Harding drives to the basket during his senior season with Louisburg in 2017. Harding committed to play basketball at Pittsburg State after two years with the Hesston College program.

When Grant Harding signed with Hesston College to play basketball more than two years ago, he hoped to use it as a stepping stone to something bigger.

Harding certainly made the most of his opportunity in his two years with the Larks and it paid off in a big way. The 2017 Louisburg graduate was offered a spot on the Pittsburg State University basketball team and Harding jumped at the opportunity when he committed to the team in May.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to play Division II basketball,” Harding said. “The competition at this level is incredible and being able to compete with some great athletes is something that I really look forward to.

“The decision to go to Pitt State was an easy one once I visited and got the chance to meet coach (Kim) Anderson and experience what an athlete at Pitt is all about.”

Harding, who will enter Pitt State as a junior both athletically and academically, will have the opportunity to play for an experienced head coach. Anderson was previously the head coach at the University of Missouri and he also won a Division II national championship at the University of Central Missouri before that.

Anderson is currently in his second year with the Gorilla program and Harding is excited to be a part of what Anderson is trying to build down at Pitt.

“Coach Anderson has plans for me to further develop my game in these next two years,” Harding said. “I am expected to come in and compete for playing time and impact the team any way I can. He likes how I am a versatile player and views me as a mismatch at different positions.

“I just have a ton of respect for Coach Anderson and all he has accomplished during his coach career. I believe there is something special happening with Pitt State basketball under his leadership. Pitt State has great facilities for all their athletes and they have a really unique teaching program and coaching experience opportunities.”

Harding had good final season at Hesston as the Larks competed in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. In 28 games, Harding averaged 14 points a contest to go along with seven rebounds a game as a guard/forward.

He believes his time with the Hesston program was pivotal in his career and he his thankful for what he learned in the last two years.

“I had a great experience at Hesston,” Harding said. “Off the court, I grew tremendously and met some lifelong friends. On the court, I got a lot of experience at the college level and played against some tough competition. Coach (Dustin) Galyon really prepares his players for the next step both on and off the court.”

Harding, who was an all-league player for the Wildcats and helped Louisburg to its last state appearance in 2017, is ready to see how his basketball journey ends at Pitt State.

“My goals for next year are to continue on a good path towards graduation in on time with good grades, and to just be the best teammate I can be. I just want to be someone who competes and works hard every day and see where that takes my final years of playing basketball.”