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What Jahshire Hardnett brings to BYU basketball is unique

By Nathan Cunningham

DENVER, CO - MARCH 16: Head coach Dave Rose of the Brigham Young Cougars takes part in practice prior to their second round NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game at the Pepsi Center on March 16, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 16: Head coach Dave Rose of the Brigham Young Cougars takes part in practice prior to their second round NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament game at the Pepsi Center on March 16, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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JUCO transfer Jahshire Hardnett was singed to BYU basketball’s roster in May. He’s bringing a unique skill-set to the Cougars.

BYU basketball was seemingly in rough shape after Eric Mika, Davin Guinn, Steven Beo and Jamal Aytes departed. But one of the first moves Dave Rose made was signing Jahshire Hardnett.

Hardnett, who played his freshman season at Chipola College, is the type of player that BYU basketball fans don’t often get to see in Provo.

He’s incredible quick, explosive and strong. Hardnett is compact player – which is a nice way of saying he’s short and strong (think Darren Sproles).

Hardnett is listed at 6-feet tall on BYU basketball’s website, but it seems he’s probably closer to 5-foot-10. That’s nothing really new – programs always embellish height.

But it’s very clear that Hardnett’s size isn’t an issue on the court. In his only season at Chipola College, he shot 56 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. He averaged 13 points, 3.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.

Hardnett was named the Panhandle Conference Freshman of the Year after leading Chipola College to a 22-8 record. Before Chipola, the lefty spent a redshirt year at Fordham.

Hardnett’s old coach at Chipola, Bret Campbell, went on ESPN 960 after the signing. Dick Harmon of the Deseret News transcribed some of what Campbell said.

"“He’s a smaller, tough, running-back type guy who plays low to the ground and is explosive… He can get on a player’s hip and finish.”"

It’s not often that BYU basketball has a guy that can get to the basket at will. The Cougars – for better or worse – tend to lack top-end athleticism. If Hardnett can effectively attack off the dribble to create penetration, not only will he be able to finish at the rim, but he’ll be setting up shooters like Nick Emery, TJ Haws and Zac Seljaas.

Watching his film, Hardnett appears quick enough to be a competent defender – which is another thing BYU basketball stands in need of. His speed on the perimeter may allow him to get in front of opposing shooters (or slow penetration).

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BYU basketball’s offense is expected to look different after the departure of Terry Nashif. But at this point, no one really knows what Quincy Lewis will do at the helm.

So there’s no way to know what Hardnett’s role will exactly be. But one thing is certain: his unique skill set will definitely help the Cougars in 2017-18.

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