LAS CRUCES, N.M. – This week, NM State women's basketball announced two more signings to their roster for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. This now brings the Aggies signing class to five players, after they announced three signings – Loes Rozing, Tyle Jones and Feme Sikuzani Masudi – a few weeks back.
This time around, the Aggie have added two junior college transfers – Jaila Harding and Maiya Bergdorf – who should help the team on both ends of the floor next season. Harding and Bergdorf both had success at the at the JUCO level last season and will look to replicate that at the division I level. For Bergdorf, this will be her second stint in division I after spending her freshman season at Sacred Heart University.
JAILA HARDING
Junior | Guard | 5-8 | Wichita, Kan. | Butler CC
Harding, a guard from Wichita, Kan., will provide Jody Adams a good scoring option at the position heading into her second year with the program. Harding spent her last two years playing at Butler Community College for the Grizzlies under long time head coach, Mike Helmer.
In two seasons with the Grizzlies, Harding appeared in a total of 62 games while starting in 59 of those contests. Last season, she averaged a career best 10.1 points for game while shooting 43.2%, 32.9% from the three-point line – a team high – and 80% from the charity stripe. She also managed to average 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assist per game.
The Grizzlies finished their 2022-23 season 24-7 overall, 18-6 in conference play and advanced to the Region VI Division I Semifinals before being knocked out by Barton College.
During her freshman campaign, Harding averaged 8.3 points a game while shooting 40.3% from the field, 28.3 from three and 80.0% from the free throw line.
Coming out of high school, Harding was considered a top 100 prospect in the state of Kansas, according to Max Preps, after lettering all four years at Wichita Southeast High School. In her senior season with the Buffalos, the 5'8" guard averaged 22 points a game and earned an All-State 3rd Team selection. She was also a three-year letter earner in Volleyball while at Southeast High.
In an Interview with Good Day Kansas back in 2021, Harding shared that she draws inspiration from a variety of players, including UCONN guard, Paige Bueckers. Harding can also draw inspiration within her own family as her older brother, Jerrick, is currently playing ball overseas with ERA Nymburk of the Czech National Basketball League.
MAIYA BERGDORF
Junior | Forward | 5-11 | Belmont, Mass. | Three Rivers CC
Bergdorf, a two-way post player from Belmont, Mass., brings a consistent threat on both the scoring and defensive front. Last season at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Mo., Bergdorf averaged a team leading 15.4 points a game while shooting 60.2% from the field, 42.9% from three and 72.3% from the free throw line. She also led the team in total rebounds per game (8.0), offensive rebounds per game (3.0), defensive rebounds per game (4.9) and blocks per game (1.9).
Her performance helped the Raiders to a 22-6 overall record and 7-3 record in conference play, leading the team to an NJCAA first round appearance.
Before attending Three Rivers College, Bergdorf played one season at Sacred Heart University under Jessica Mannetti. In her lone season with the Pioneers, Bergdorf averaged 4.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 19 games – six starts – earning her a spot on the NEC All-Rookie Team. In her first career start for the pioneers, she dropped a career high 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks against Merrimack (2/9/22). In a game against Fairleigh Dickinson (3/3/22), the 5-11 forward grabbed a career high 14 rebounds and later scored a team high 13 points against FDU in the Northeast Conference Quarterfinals (3/7/22).
A 1,000-point scorer at Saint Mary's High School, Bergdorf helped her team to a 24-2 record and division three state championship, leading to her being named the 2019-20 Item Player of the year. In her senior campaign, she led the Spartans in scoring (13.3), rebounds (126), field goal percentage (61%) and free throw percentage (82%), helping the team to a Catholic Central League title, and earning her a share of the CCL MVP award.
