Career
A native of Detroit, Michigan and a 1961 graduate of Eastern High School, Harding, a 7"0" center, was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth round of the 1962 National Basketball Association Draft and later in the 6th round of the 1963 draft. He became the first player drafted into the National Basketball Association without having played in college, although he did not actually play for the Pistons until the 1963-1964 season. In four seasons with the Pistons and Chicago Bulls, Harding averaged 9.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, and also spent part of 1967-1968 with the American Bar Association"s Indiana Pacers, averaging 13.4 points and 13.4 rebounds in 25 games.
Harding"s basketball career was cut short by a number of personal problems.
He spent time in jail, often struggled with drug addictions, and was rumored to carry a pistol in his gym bag. During a television interview, he threatened to shoot the Indiana Pacers" general manager, Mike Storen.
He also reportedly threatened to shoot teammate Jimmy Rayl while the two were rooming together. Harding was shot dead at a Detroit intersection in 1972, aged 30.