The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers make good hire in Lindsey Harding as full-time scout

By Lucas Johnson

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 28: Lindsey Harding #10 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx in Game One of the Semifinals during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs on September 28, 2016 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 28: Lindsey Harding #10 of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball against the Minnesota Lynx in Game One of the Semifinals during the 2016 WNBA Playoffs on September 28, 2016 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers made a good front office hire with bringing in former WNBA point guard Lindsey Harding as the club’s scout.

The front office of the Philadelphia 76ers is in a state of flux due to the vacancy of the general manager position. However, the front office did just become more solidified with the hiring of former Duke star and WNBA player Lindsey Harding. She becomes the first female scout in Sixers history and she has all the experience necessary to hit the ground running.

Harding had a great college career being the sixth player ACC to record at least 1,000 points, 500 assists, 500 rebounds and 250 steals. She was also named Naismith National Player of the Year, WBCA National Defensive Player of the Year, and All-American during her senior season with the Duke Blue Devils. She was the first Duke player to be drafted first overall in the WNBA draft.

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She went on to have a successful career in the WNBA. She was named to the All-Rookie team and ended her playing days ranked 18th in total assists with 1,090 for her career. She held career averages of  9.8 points, 4.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals, while shooting 41.4 percent from the field.

Harding also was an assistant on the Toronto Raptors Summer League team prior to retiring from the WNBA. It should be noted that her experience with the Raptors gave her a strong push to work in the NBA after she had finished playing in the WNBA. After Harding’s days of playing were through, she went through the NBA’s Basketball Operations Program.

In regards to women making their way into the NBA, this hiring is a big step. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN pointed out in her article, Harding becomes the fourth former women’s basketball player to make the transition to the NBA, following the likes of Becky Hammon, Jenny Boucek and Natalie Nakase. It’s important to note that Harding sees her career going to be in a front office.

Shelburne was able to get several quotes from 76ers head coach and interim front office executive Brett Brown in regards to what Harding brings to Philadelphia.

"“Lindsey has quickly become one of the game’s bright young minds in basketball operations,… Having graduated from the NBA’s Basketball Operations Associates Program last season, Lindsey is applying the same grit and basketball IQ she used as a player in her move to the front office. We look forward to the work Lindsey will do to help grow our program and further solidify a culture of winning.“It’s no secret how much I value the culture we’ve built in Philadelphia and how much a family-like atmosphere means to our program. Lindsey is a leader, and she is a welcomed addition to the 76ers family. I look forward to working with her.”"

Fans should be equally excited for Harding’s hire as Brown is. Not only is she qualified and she is helping pave the way for more women to enter the NBA as a part of the teams coaching/ front offices staffs, her boss believes in her abilities.

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Lindsey Harding has all the experience necessary to do her job very well for the Philadelphia 76ers. Her being hired may help continue setting a trend of more NBA teams becoming more integrated with female employees working closely with players and front offices. This is a good hire on multiple fronts for the Sixers and hopefully whoever becomes the new general manager will appreciate Harding’s ability as a scout as much as Brown does.