64 points in two key games: Jerrick Harding knocking on EuroLeague's door / News - Basketnews.com

Jerrick Harding's 41-point game in the ACB might catch the attention of EuroLeague teams on the hunt for fresh talent that can light up the competition.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

There's a special breed of basketball players who can score with ease, no matter what the defense throws at them. They're the ones who leave fans shaking their heads in utter disbelief, wondering how on earth they can make shots that seem impossible.

Player of the Game EFF 21 Marcus Foster Points 27 Accuracy 11-17 Rebounds 3 Assists 4

1.85-meter BAXI Manresa guard Jerrick Harding is one of these players.

He recently put on a show at Jeep Arena in Vilnius that left the entire crowd hopeless. With his incredible scoring skills, a 24-year-old propelled Manresa to a spot in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals.

Over just four days, Jerrick put up an astonishing 64 points on 57.6% FG shooting across two games that were absolutely critical for his team.

In the first game, he dominated the court, scoring an incredible 41 points (6/8 2P, 6/11 3P, 11/11 FT) - a record-breaking performance that made him the highest single-game scorer in BAXI's history for the 21st century. Also, only four more ACB players scored over 41 points this century.

With both teams fighting to avoid relegation, Harding's outstanding performance proved to be the difference-maker, and he helped lead his team to a crucial victory vs. Real Betis Sevilla.

Then, just 96 hours later, Jerrick faced off against Rytas in a battle for the final spot in the Basketball Champions League quarterfinals. Once again, Harding rose to the occasion, scoring an impressive 23 points (3/8 2P, 4/6 3P, 5/5 FT) to help Manresa weather the storm and secure their place in the next round.

"Hey, I'm having a couple of good games. I got to keep it going,"Harding modestly downplayed his impressive numbers in a post-game interview with BasketNews, before finally departing the Jeep Arena as the last guest to leave.

A doping control should have checked him. But he returned to the locker room to lend a helping hand in carrying out the bags that the BAXI staff had brought to the gym.

3-pointers this season

34%9,4Points made:9,4Accuracy:34,2%Place in standings:13Record max:13Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Jerrick HardingTeamBCLStatisticsSchedule

"We've been really locked in lately. Coach has been putting things in our offense and defense to really help us out there," Harding recalled on the team and individual approach toward two critical games of the season vs. Real Betis and Rytas.

"I just wanted to come out and be aggressive. That's what my coaches and teammates want. Try to be a leader out there and give my team energy by scoring, which is one of my main strengths," he added. "We had a couple of big games, so that's big time. Hopefully, we can continue with the momentum we have."

Credit FIBA

64 points in 50 minutes of play. That's something even the Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard would be proud of.

Harding worked out with Lillard at Weber State, as they both share the experience of being Weber State Wildcats alums.

"He reached out to me and gave me his number. I can ask him for any advice," Harding revealed to BasketNews.

While training with Lillard at Weber State, Harding had a unique opportunity to observe firsthand how the NBA star reads and analyzes the game.

"He's been where I want to go. Just for things how I see them on the floor. As far as things I can do better. He's one of the best guys to ask," Harding explained what he tried to take from this experience. "He's one of the best players in the world. He's really down to earth. He's always giving me advice, and I certainly appreciate that."

But it wasn't Lillard who inspired Harding's incredible turnaround.

It has actually started with his worst game of the season. Harding scored only 2 points in 1 of 10 shooting night when Barcelona beat Manresa in a blowout game, 93-72.

"Just get as many shots as I can until my arm hurts," Harding laughed, thinking back to the day after his disastrous display at the Palau Blaugrana.

Since that humbling loss to Barcelona, Harding has been on fire, averaging a remarkable 28.3 points on 61.4% shooting from the field, along with 2.0 assists and a performance index rating of 24.7.

"You'll have bad games and shooting nights throughout the season. So you try to stay positive throughout and keep working. But I've been frustrated lately with the way I've been playing. And especially in the ACB. I had a really bad game. So I tried to work on what I needed to work on: shooting and just staying in the gym. It worked out for me, so I got to keep it up."

Harding's previous visit to Barcelona had been much more thrilling.

He came to watch his former teammate Retin Obasohan play in the EuroLeague for ASVEL Villeurbanne, who managed to pull off a sensational victory against the home team.

Being around one hour drive from Barcelona, Harding tries to use the opportunity to watch the EuroLeague action.

Living within an hour's drive of the city, Harding took the opportunity to attend EuroLeague games in person and soak up the excitement of the competition. He particularly enjoys watching Mike James and Scottie Wilbekin.

"Markus Howard might be a good comparison," Harding seemed particularly intrigued when I mentioned Baskonia's guard among the EuroLeague scorers, who reminded me of his own game.

"He's energy bunny. When he comes off the bench, he's an instant scorer. He's a big weapon for them. Maybe somebody like that," Harding explained his choice.

A 41-point game in the ACB might catch the attention of EuroLeague teams on the hunt for fresh talent that can light up the competition.

This season, he recorded twelve games with 20 or more points out of his 32 appearances in both the BCL and ACB.

But before Harding can be seriously considered for a move to EuroLeague, he will be thoroughly evaluated by EuroLeague GMs and coaches, who tend to be very selective with undersized scorers like him.

"I feel that the biggest thing with me is size. They think I'm smaller, can't defend, can't be effective that year," Harding tried to analyze what EuroLeague people might be questioning about his potential to play in the competition.

"This year, I feel I'm proving it a little bit. ACB is a really tough league. I feel I'm proving myself as far as those two things," he added. "I have to prove myself more as far as playing the point guard position. Make plays for others. People know I can score. I'm capable, for sure. But I feel my team needs more so scoring right now, so I'm playing a two right now because we have really good point guards on my team."

Being overlooked is nothing new for Harding.

He didn't receive any Division I offers until his senior year of high school. Apparently, he became the best high school basketball player at Kansas State and joined Weber State.

On March 3rd, 2018, he broke a 41-year Weber State single-game scoring record with 46 points. Less than two years later, he became the all-time leading scorer of Weber State.

When he left the NCAA, Harding was the seventh-best scorer in the country, averaging 22.8 points per game. That year, Markus Howard topped the leaderboard.

He left the NCAA as the 7th best scorer in the country, averaging 22.8 points per game. The same year, Markus Howard topped the leaderboard.

Harding spent his first two years in Europe representing ERA Nymburk. Last year, he was the best scorer in the BCL (20.83 PPG).

This year, he's fourth on the list with 18.75 points per game. Meanwhile, he leads the ACB, averaging 16.7 points per game.

Although Harding signed a two-year deal with Manresa last summer, sources tell BasketNews that he is expected to hit free agency this summer.

EuroLeague teams might test him, but his current goal is to help BAXI Manresa climb to the top of the ACB and BCL.

Despite advancing to the BCL quarterfinals, Manresa is fighting to avoid relegation in the ACB. This is not where Harding and Manresa are supposed to be this year.

"Just by giving everybody confidence," Harding described how he strives to drive his team to success. "I'm not the most vocal out there, but I try to do the right things offensively and defensively. I try to do what the coach asks and be that extension on the floor by just telling people what needs to be done."

"We're building confidence right now, and we have to keep it going. We're on a good way right now," Harding concluded confidently.

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