Hardy glad he went to pro basketball right out of high school

CHARLOTTE – After bypassing the college basketball experience so he could dive right into the pro basketball experience, Jaden Hardy is having the experience of his life.

Following a period earlier this season when he was getting adjusted to the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks’ rookie guard has scored 20 or more points in five of the past seven games. In essence, Hardy has more than proven that skipping college to tackle pro basketball was a very wise decision on his part.

“For sure it was a good choice for me,” Hardy told Mavs.com. “I believe it’s going to help me in the long run with my development.

“Just being able to jump straight into the pros and being able to get that experience, I feel like it’s helped me and put me ahead of a lot of those guys who went to college, or are still going through it right now.”

Hardy was one of the top high school prospects in the nation at Coronado (Henderson, NV) High School, with Kentucky and UCLA the top two universities on his wish list to attend. But the 6-3, 198-pounder decided to bypass college and instead play last season for the NBA’s G League Ignite, where he averaged 17.7 points.

After falling to the second round of last summer’s NBA Draft – Hardy was the 37^th overall pick by Sacramento – the Mavs executed a draft day trade and acquired Hardy from the Kings.

Early missteps happened, as with any rookie, topped with a lot of coach’s decision-did not play. However, lately Hardy has been a key player on the court for the Mavs.

“I feel like everything has been going good,” he said. “I’ve been getting an opportunity to play and getting some reps out there.

“It’s difficult not knowing when you’re going to play or when you’re not going to play, but I just stay ready. The coaches believe in me and they trust in me when I’m out there, so I’m just taking advantage of that opportunity when I’m out there.”

Hardy hopes another opportunity to prosper comes his way at noon Sunday when the Mavs (36-38) battle the Charlotte Hornets (24-51) at the Spectrum Center.

As he gauges his first NBA season, Hardy noticed that: “The players are better and bigger and stronger. That’s probably the biggest adjustment I’ll say. And the attention to detail up here.

“The biggest surprise I would probably say is, I don’t know yet. I’m still trying to search for it myself.”

Overall, Hardy has seven 20-point plus games to his credit this season and is averaging 8.7 points in just 14.4 minutes over 40 games while shooting 43 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three-point range. But over the past eight games while being one of the jets fueling the Mavs, he has averaged 16.3 points and shot 42.3 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from beyond the three-point arc in 26.6 minutes.

Take away the brief six-minute stint Hardy had in the March 17 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he’s averaged a healthy 21.2 points in the other six games during his latest surge.

“It feels good whenever I’m out there in my zone and I’ve got it going,” Hardy said. “I’m just trying to use my aggressiveness to find my teammates when they’re open.”

Hardy also feels that his older brother – Amauri Hardy – has got it going on while averaging 11.3 points in just 24.2 minutes in 28 games this season for the G League’s Texas Legends.

“I expect to see him at this level and I believe he’ll be at this level next year,” the 20-year old Hardy said. “He’s been playing good.

“He’s been given an opportunity and he’s been taking advantage of it. It’s been good to see. I’m proud of him and my family is proud of him.”

Hardy also paid homage to his father – Ramsey Hardy — who has attended several Mavs’ road games as well as the home games.

“That’s great to have him around,” Hardy said. “Some players don’t have their father in their life anymore. So having mine there and him supporting me, it’s a blessing.

“Him just being there and wanting to be there for me every game, that shows that he really loves me and cares about me.”

*This is the opener of a five-game road for the Mavs. The trip also includes Monday’s game in Indiana, Wednesday’s contest in Philadelphia, and games in Miami (April 1) and Atlanta (April 2) before the Mavs return home to host the Sacramento Kings on April 5.

*The Hornets have the fourth-worst record in the NBA, but were able to go into Dallas and defeat the Mavs, 117-109, two days ago. The Hornets were led by Frisco Lone Star High School product P.J.  Washington (28 points, six rebounds) and Gordon Hayward (25 points, nine assists).

*Since posting a 31-26 record following a 122-114 victory in Sacramento on Feb. 10, the Mavs are just 5-12 and have put their playoff positioning in jeopardy. They also are only 2-6 in their last eight games.

*Charlotte had all five starters and two reserves score at least 10 points in Friday’s stunning upset of the Mavs.

*Luka Doncic collected 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in Friday’s game against Charlotte, and Kyrie Irving added 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. The Mavs are 3-7 in games where both Doncic and Irving plays.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (36-38) at CHARLOTTE HORNETS (24-51)

Time: 12 noon, Sunday

Place: Spectrum Center, Charlotte

TV: Bally Sports Southwest

Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

Twitter: @DwainPrice