On a chilly November evening inside Charles Koch Arena, the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, and the Wichita State Shockers women’s basketball team jogged onto the court for their exhibition opener. Among them was a player whose name carried special meaning in the stands: Jaila Harding.
For Harding, this wasn’t just another game. It was the years of determination, disappointment, growth, and ultimately, a return to the city that raised her.
“I felt so comfortable just being out here in front of people that have known me my whole life,” Harding said after the game. “My trainer came and watched me and supported me. So, I was just super excited to be out here and represent for the people that have watched me grow up and become the player I am today.”
Harding’s basketball roots run deep in Wichita. At Southeast High School, she was more than just a standout athlete, she was a leader in the classroom as well, graduating as a valedictorian of the Class of 2021.
Her reputation as a sharpshooter was already established. Coaches and teammates knew that if Harding had the ball beyond the arc, chances were high it was going in.
“I was a similar player to the player I am today,” Harding reflected. “I’ve definitely grown a lot, but definitely, my focus has always been three-point shooting, and that’s what they recruited me here to do, and that’s what I’ve been doing so far.”
Although she continues her journey in college, one game in particular still stands out in her memory.
“We played one my senior year versus Heights, and I think my coach posted it recently,” she said with a smile. “I had like four threes in the fourth quarter and we ended up beating them, and we hadn’t beat them very many times throughout my whole career. So, that was super fun and exciting.”
Her time at Southeast wasn’t just about basketball. It was about building character, discipline and resilience.
“I just want to thank Southeast for all the support they’ve shown me throughout my four years there,” Harding said. “They helped me grow into the person I am now and I’ll forever thank them for that.”
Despite her accomplishments, Harding wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school.
“So out of high school, I wasn’t very highly recruited,” she admitted. “Wichita is a big city, but people don’t recruit a lot of kids in the Midwest. So, I got the opportunity to go and I made a close connection with the coach and it ended up working out perfectly.”
Butler gave Harding her first taste of Division I basketball. It was a chance to prove herself against top competition, to show she belonged. But the absence of Wichita State in her recruitment was a sting she carried with her.
“WSU did not recruit me out of high school,” she said. “Yes, I was disappointed because you want your hometown to recognize your skills and your talents, but I have the opportunity now and I’m thankful for that.”
After Butler, Harding transferred to New Mexico State. The move gave her new experiences, new teammates, and a different basketball culture. She thrived in the desert, but the pull of Kansas never faded.
“I had a good experience at New Mexico State, but I knew the community here in Wichita, there’s nothing that beats it,” she said. “They’re super supportive and I wanted to be closer to my family.”
Now back in Wichita, Harding is wearing the black and yellow of the Shockers, fulfilling a dream that once felt out of reach. Her first exhibition game was more than just a warm-up; it was a celebration of resilience.
“We had our first exhibition yesterday and I felt so comfortable just being out here in front of people that have known me my whole life,” Harding said. “My trainer came and watched me and supported me. So I was just super excited to be out here and represent for the people that have watched me grow up and become the player I am today.”
For Harding, playing in front of family, friends, and former peers is more than symbolic; it’s a chance to show that local talent can thrive when given the opportunity.
“For sure. I think local talent should definitely be considered by their hometowns,” she said.
Her presence at WSU is not just about her own career; it’s about inspiring the next generation of Wichita players to believe they can stay home and still shine. As Harding reflects her journey, gratitude is the theme that emerges.
“I just want to thank Southeast for all the support they’ve shown me throughout my four years there and they helped me grow into the person I am now and I’ll forever thank them for that.”
Her story is one of resilience and determination, of a hometown athlete who wasn’t recruited by her local university, but who found her way back through determination and growth. Now, she’s not just playing for Wichita State; she’s playing for Wichita.
Harding’s journey is still unfolding, but her return to Wichita State already feels like a victory. For the fans who watched her grow up, for the Southeast community that cheered her on, and for the family that stood by her side, her presence on the court is a testament to perseverance. Showing that the journey back home is a meaningful path.
