Name – Jared Harding

Where are you from? – Denver, Colorado USA

How old are you ? 28

When did you start playing the game? – When I was 8 years old.

What made you interested in playing basketball? – It was my dad's game. 

Do you remember your first organized basketball game? – Yes.  I was on a YMCA team called the Tigers, and my coach's name was Bill Taggert.  The gym had carpet floors, and I remember getting a rug burn.  I remember the way the ball echoed when it bounced, and how hectic it seemed on the court.  I remember the thrill of putting the ball through the hoop, and the tingles it used to send down my spine.   

How did you play and how did it make you feel? – I don't remember how I played, to be honest.  I know our team was horrible - we went 0-10 that season - and I was the only kid on the team who could score.

When did you begin to take basketball seriously and why? – I think I began to take it seriously right away.  I was already better than most kids, and I loved the way that made me feel, and I wanted to continue to feel that way, to be the best.  So I worked at it. 

Does your family support you playing basketball? – Yes.

What influenced you to play basketball? – My dad.  I was going to play ice hockey - I had the jock strap, pads and even a new hockey stick, and I had taken ice skating lessons - and then, abruptly, I decided I wanted to play the sport my dad loved.  So I played basketball. 

What is your favorite aspect of playing basketball? The competition.  The team aspects.  The little things.

What is your motivation to play? – It's a release.  It's a challenge.  As a kid, I wanted to be like Mark Price or John Stockton, and I remember imitating their moves, hitting big shots in pretend games I played in my head.

What are your habits before a game? – Dynamic warm-up.  I always shoot one right-handed lay-up and one left-handed lay-up. 

What is your favorite hobby? – Working out.

Do play other sports competitively, which sports? – I used to swim and dive, play football, baseball and tennis. I ran the 200m and 400m on my college track team. 

What is your favorite food to eat before and after games? – I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on wheat bread before a game, and usually some sort of pasta after a game.

What is your favorite pre-game music? – Eminem.

Do you have any religious background and basketball? – Not really.

How often do you workout? – 3-5 days per week..

Do you have a partner or on your own? – On my own usually.  I do like working out with a partner if someone else is as motivated as I am. 

Have you gotten seriously injured? – I broke my hand in '05.

What are your strong points in basketball? – I see the court really well, and love finding the open man.  I understand the game.  I play very good defense, and rebound well for a guard.  I can shoot from deep, and am also quick enough to get to the hole.

Do you consider yourself healthy and why? – Yes.  I eat well, train hard, and try to take good care of my body.

Favorites

Your favorite basketball gear brand? – Nike.
What size shoe do you wear? – 11.5

Life

Do you have many friends who don’t play basketball? – Yes. 

What is life outside of basketball for you? – Spending time with my girl.  Going out with buddies.  Writing.

Do you get a lot of attention because you play basketball? – It's always a conversation starter.  When people find out I played professional basketball in Europe, they usually want to hear all about it.

What are your plans after your basketball career is over? – I think my career is over - unless I get an offer I can't say no to.  I'm coaching JV basketball and working in marketing and PR for a large sports corporation. 

Is basketball your life? - No.

Where has basketball taken you? – Besides deep inside my soul, it has literally taken me to Denmark, Ireland, England, Spain, China, LA, Atlanta, Chicago, Syracuse, and Ohio. 

Have you traveled a lot through basketball? If so, where have you been and which are your favorite places? – I have traveled a lot through basketball.  I think my favorite place was probably Denmark.  It was my first season as a pro, and the people - and my coach and teammates, of course - were so warm and welcoming to me there. 

Do you have children? No.

Have you made mistakes in your life that has affected your career? If you would like to go into detail please explain. I offered advice to another player when I should have kept it to myself once.  I didn't work hard on my game in high school, and had to work extra hard in college and beyond to get where I did.  If I could do it all over again, I would have committed myself to the game (the whole game) in high school, rather than getting by on my jumper. 

What is your basketball standing now? High school, college, professional, semi pro or retired? I play recreationally, but no longer professionally.  My last gig was less than a year ago, though, and I'm shape to play. 

What are your personal goals as a player? To get the most out of what I have.

What are your basketball dreams? – To experience as much in life as I can through basketball.

Are you happy with your basketball game? - I didn’t get where I was by being satisfied, so no, I don’t think I could ever fully be ‘happy’ with my game.

Have you received many accolades and honors through basketball? My fair share, I suppose.