Hometown specialist: Jaila Harding returns to play for Wichita State
When Jaila Harding called Wichita State women’s basketball coach Terry Nooner, he couldn’t contain his excitement.
He was sitting outside an airport, waiting for his Uber during the Final Four weekend when the Wichita native FaceTimed him to say she was coming home.
It was the first recruiting victory for Nooner and his staff in the 2025 transfer portal, and the coach believes it was a significant one.
“I’m going crazy sitting outside of the airport,” Nooner recalled. “For her to be the first one, and to be a kid who wants to come back home with all of the intangibles that she brings, I’m so excited about her.”
Harding, a 5-foot-8 shooting guard and 2021 Southeast High School graduate, is the latest example of Nooner’s mission as WSU coach: bring Wichita’s best back to Wichita. She follows fellow City League standouts Tre’Zure Jobe and Taylor Jameson, who returned to play to their hometown to close out their careers in front of hometown fans.
Harding spent the past two years at New Mexico State, where she made 122 3-pointers in 64 games, shooting 35.7% from deep and averaging 8.4 points per game. For a Shockers team that ranked second-to-last in the American Conference in 3-point shooting percentage last season, her accuracy fills a glaring need.
Her new teammates have already noticed. WSU has a shooting drill where players rotate from hoop to hoop while a partner rebounds. Teammates are excited when paired with Harding.
“Lights out shooting,” teammate Bre’Yon White said. “I love rebounding for her because it’s easy. You just sit there. It’s consistent and it just looks beautiful. If she’s shooting, you don’t have to rebound. You can just head back on defense.”
Harding appreciates the sharpshooter label, but wants to prove that she’s more than just a shooter with the Shockers. She prides herself on bringing leadership, energy and connection to a roster that’s still building under Nooner.
“Back at New Mexico State, outside shooting is definitely something that people scouted me heavily for,” Harding said. “But there are a lot of other things I bring. I’m a grad transfer, so I hope to be a good leader and just keep the energy high with everybody and help us gel as a team.”
Her decision to return home was made mostly on her own. But she did seek out advice from Jameson, her former City League rival, before committing. The reviews were glowing.
“I heard a lot of positive things about coming back to the city,” Harding said. “So it just felt right to me.”
Her ties to WSU run deeper than just growing up in the city. At Southeast, Harding played for Jamillah Bonner, a former Shocker standout player whose example stuck with her.
When Harding entered the transfer portal, Wichita State reached out on the first day. The immediate interest, as well as Nooner’s direct approach, made her feel wanted.
For Nooner, who is intent on building a program that embraces Wichita talent, Harding’s commitment was more than just another roster addition. It was a homecoming — and a statement.
“It feels amazing to come back to my hometown and represent for the city,” Harding said. “I’m just super excited to be back.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
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