Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Chris Davis
Joanna Harden: 'Best Decision I've Ever Made'
1/13/2014 1:38:00 PM | Basketball (W)
2013-14 Women's Basketball Schedule
TROY, Ala. – There are many decisions that a basketball player must make on the court. The choices a player makes throughout the course of a game will determine the outcome. For Troy senior guard Joanna Harden, the most important decision she made came off the court.
As a sophomore at Northwest Florida State in Niceville, Fla., Harden was enjoying a successful campaign. She was on her way to being named first-team All-Panhandle Conference for the second straight season, averaging a conference-high 17.5 points per game. When it came time for her to decide which four-year school to attend she had several options, but there was one offer that would stand out above the rest.
"There were several schools that wanted me. When I took my visit to Troy, I just knew it was where I wanted to go. I committed on the spot," she said.
While there are many factors that can play into an athlete's decision, Harden had just one … Chanda Rigby. While the head coach at Pensacola State, Rigby coached against Harden and had seen first hand what type of player she was.
"She was the kind of player that could take over a game," Rigby said. "She was smart and hard to defend."
Immediately after Rigby accepted the head coach position at Troy, she made a quick phone call.
"I didn't even call my husband. The first phone call I made was to Joanna," Rigby said.
Harden had first-hand knowledge of Rigby's success at Pensacola State; success that Harden says pushed her to excel even as an opponent.
"I feel like I got better as a player playing against her," Harden said. "Her teams were always tough. I knew that someday I wanted to play for a coach like her."
That opportunity came when Rigby invited Harden for her visit. It didn't take long for the 5-foot-7 guard to make her decision.
"I knew right away. Coach Rigby and everyone made me feel at home," Harden said. "I knew I wanted to play for her and for Troy. She's a mother figure and my teammates are like my sisters."
Harden was named second-team All-Sun Belt Conference last season after averaging 15.3 points per game. Her senior campaign has been even better. On November 26 against Alabama-Huntsville, Harden set a new Troy and Sun Belt Conference single-game record by scoring 52 points. Through 15 games, she leads the conference in scoring with 24.1 points per game; which also ranks her sixth nationally.
It is clear to Harden that she made the right decision.
"I can't imagine playing anywhere else. It was the best decision I've ever made."
TROY, Ala. – There are many decisions that a basketball player must make on the court. The choices a player makes throughout the course of a game will determine the outcome. For Troy senior guard Joanna Harden, the most important decision she made came off the court.
As a sophomore at Northwest Florida State in Niceville, Fla., Harden was enjoying a successful campaign. She was on her way to being named first-team All-Panhandle Conference for the second straight season, averaging a conference-high 17.5 points per game. When it came time for her to decide which four-year school to attend she had several options, but there was one offer that would stand out above the rest.
"There were several schools that wanted me. When I took my visit to Troy, I just knew it was where I wanted to go. I committed on the spot," she said.
While there are many factors that can play into an athlete's decision, Harden had just one … Chanda Rigby. While the head coach at Pensacola State, Rigby coached against Harden and had seen first hand what type of player she was.
"She was the kind of player that could take over a game," Rigby said. "She was smart and hard to defend."
Immediately after Rigby accepted the head coach position at Troy, she made a quick phone call.
"I didn't even call my husband. The first phone call I made was to Joanna," Rigby said.
Harden had first-hand knowledge of Rigby's success at Pensacola State; success that Harden says pushed her to excel even as an opponent.
"I feel like I got better as a player playing against her," Harden said. "Her teams were always tough. I knew that someday I wanted to play for a coach like her."
That opportunity came when Rigby invited Harden for her visit. It didn't take long for the 5-foot-7 guard to make her decision.
"I knew right away. Coach Rigby and everyone made me feel at home," Harden said. "I knew I wanted to play for her and for Troy. She's a mother figure and my teammates are like my sisters."
Harden was named second-team All-Sun Belt Conference last season after averaging 15.3 points per game. Her senior campaign has been even better. On November 26 against Alabama-Huntsville, Harden set a new Troy and Sun Belt Conference single-game record by scoring 52 points. Through 15 games, she leads the conference in scoring with 24.1 points per game; which also ranks her sixth nationally.
It is clear to Harden that she made the right decision.
"I can't imagine playing anywhere else. It was the best decision I've ever made."
2025-26 Women's Basketball Season Recap
Monday, April 06
Underdogs Untold: WBIT
Saturday, March 21
Chanda Rigby Postgame Press Conference (WBIT) - No. 2 Kansas
Thursday, March 19
No. 2 Troy vs. No. 4 James Madison - SBC Championship (Full Highlights)
Monday, March 09