Reggie Harding was a basketball prodigy who became the first player to be drafted into the NBA without playing college basketball. He was a 7-foot center who dominated the high school scene in Detroit and had the potential to be a star in the professional league. However, his career and life were cut short by his involvement in crime, drugs and violence. He was shot and killed in 1972 at the age of 30, leaving behind a legacy of wasted talent and unfulfilled promise.
A Promising Start
Reggie Harding was born on May 4, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan. He was adopted by a local couple who raised him as their own. He showed an early interest and talent in basketball, and attended Eastern High School, where he led his team to three consecutive city championships from 1959 to 1961. He was a Parade All-American and one of the best players in the country, averaging 31.3 points, 25 rebounds, 10 blocks and eight assists per game as a senior. He was also a good student and a popular figure in his neighborhood.
However, Harding also had a troubled side. He was often involved in fights, thefts and other illegal activities. He was arrested several times for various offenses, including statutory rape, assault and robbery. He also had a reputation for being a bully and intimidating others with his size and strength. He was sent to a cherry-picking farm in Cadillac, Michigan by his foster parents to keep him out of trouble, but he stole the farmer’s truck and drove back to Detroit. He also had a turbulent relationship with his biological mother, who tried to reconnect with him later in his life.
A Rocky Career
Harding was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth round of the 1962 NBA draft, becoming the first player to enter the league without playing college basketball. He was ineligible to play in the NCAA because of his poor grades and his criminal record. He spent his first season in the Midwest Professional Basketball League, where he averaged 25 points and 20 rebounds per game. He joined the Pistons in 1964, and played for them for three seasons. He also played for the Chicago Bulls in 1967, and the Indiana Pacers in the ABA in 1968.
Harding had the physical tools and skills to be a dominant player in the NBA, but he lacked the discipline, work ethic and maturity to succeed. He was often late, drunk, or absent from practices and games. He clashed with his coaches, teammates and opponents. He was suspended several times for violating team rules and league policies. He also continued his involvement in crime and drugs, and was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of heroin, and attempted murder. He was banned from the NBA for life in 1968 for his repeated misconduct.
A Tragic End
Harding tried to make a comeback in basketball after serving a prison sentence from 1969 to 1971. He played in some minor leagues and exhibition games, but he was unable to regain his form and fitness. He also struggled with his personal demons and addiction, and became more isolated and depressed. He was shot and killed on September 2, 1972, while waiting in a car at a Detroit intersection. The motive and the identity of the shooter are still unknown, but it is believed that it was related to his association with various criminals and drug dealers in the area.
Harding’s death was a sad and shocking end to a life that had so much promise and potential. He was a basketball star who could have been a legend, but he wasted his talent and opportunity with his bad choices and behavior. He left behind a family, friends and fans who mourned his loss and wondered what could have been. He also left behind a legacy of caution and regret for future players who would follow his footsteps.
