A native of Detroit, Michigan and a 1961 graduate of Eastern High School, Harding, a 7'0" center, was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the fourth round of the 1962 NBA Draft and later in the 6th round of the 1963 draft.
In four seasons with the Pistons and Chicago Bulls, Harding averaged 9.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, and also spent part of 1967-68 with the ABA's Indiana Pacers, averaging 13.4 points and 13.4 rebounds in 25 games.