Bulldogs land Guard Kyle Harding

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The Fresno State Men’s Basketball team will have seven new players on its roster next season, and one of them will be Guard Kyle Harding. Harding announced that he is transferring from Allan Hancock College Santa Maria (California) to Fresno State on April 21st via Twitter. 

The 6’3” guard averaged 13.6 PPG and nearly four assists per game in his second season at Hancock College. His first season at Hancock College was cut short due to an injury that kept him out for most of the season. Kyle was not heavily recruited coming out of high school, even after being named Conference Player of the Year and was named to All-County and conference teams. Despite not being recruited out of high school, Kyle went on to play at Allan Hancock College where he spent his last two seasons. Kyle says, “Not being heavily recruited out of high school and seeing guys I knew who played at this level definitely inspired me to keep working.”

The hard work has paid off and led Kyle to Fresno State. While Big East and Pac 12 showed interest in Harding as well, Kyle joined the Fresno State Bulldogs because it’s a great  fit for him. “It was hard without visits and only being able to speak to coaches on the phone. There were a bunch of schools reaching out over the last few weeks, but I just felt that the conversations with Coach Hutson and Coach Brown made me feel like this was the perfect fit for me,” Kyle stated. With Senior Noah Blackwell graduating, and Freshman Point Guard Jarred Hyder transferring out, Kyle Harding will be a major boost at Point Guard position. “I feel that my skills will fit just fine with Coach Hutson’s style of play. Playing at a high pace offensively and really getting after it on the defensive end is how I like to play,” Kyle said. When the season starts, we can expect an exciting dynamic player for the Bulldogs.  

 

The Dogs will have five returning Freshmen next year – three high school recruits and four transfers. Fresno State will have only one Junior on the roster, Alec Hickman, with one senior on the roster – Christian Gray. Fresno State will have a young team once again, but will chemistry be an issue this time? “Although we’re bringing in a bunch of new guys including myself, with the talent coming in, once we all get on the same page and get used to playing with each other we’re definitely gonna win a lot of games,” Kyle shares. Something the Bulldogs had a hard time doing last season was winning close games as the Dogs lost 13 games by 10 points or less and finished the season eighth in the conference and with a record of 11-19. The Dogs look to improve that record, but Kyle wants to do more than just improving the record. “Personally, I want to continue to develop my craft and do what I can to help our team win as many games as possible. For the team, I want us to get better everyday collectively, win the conference, and make a run in the NCAA tournament,” Kyle shares.

With six other new players on the roster and five returning freshmen, Kyle is excited to play with Forward Orlando Robinson, “I look forward to playing with Orlando, a very skilled- athletic big who can really do it all on both ends of the floor,” Kyle stated. Kyle is a player that has the ability to play fast and controlled and can create opportunities for his teammates and himself and a very smart defender.  Kyle is a hard worker and a winner. That is exactly what the Bulldogs need and may have just found their Point Guard for the next three years. Harding is a quick and smart Guard. With a diversity of talent returning and coming in with much more experience, the Dogs could make a lot of noise in the next season. 

 

TJ

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