James Harden (Part 1)

FHsC...wktn

9 Mar 2024

James Harden (Part 1)

James Edward Harden Jr. (born August 26, 1989) plays as an American professional basketball athlete, presently showcasing his skills for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely celebrated as one of the premier scorers and shooting guards in the annals of NBA history. In 2021, Harden was accorded distinction as one of the league's elite 75 players, securing his spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Before his professional tenure, Harden exhibited his talent in college basketball for the Arizona State Sun Devils, garnering recognition as a consensus All-American and the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2009. His professional journey commenced when he was drafted third overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden's impact was felt early, earning him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2012, while aiding the Thunder in their journey to the NBA Finals that same year, although they succumbed to the Miami Heat in five games. Subsequently, a contract dispute led to his trade to the Houston Rockets before the 2012–13 season.

Upon joining the Rockets, Harden wasted no time in making his mark, setting and equalling numerous team records in his debut season. This performance earned him his inaugural All-NBA Team selection (third team) and his first NBA All-Star nod. Over the following seven seasons with Houston, Harden emerged as a scoring champion thrice and led in assists once, ultimately securing the NBA Most Valuable Player accolade in 2018. His consistent excellence saw him earn seven consecutive NBA All-Star selections and six All-NBA First Team honors.
In pursuit of a change of scenery, Harden requested a trade at the onset of the 2020–21 season, leading to his acquisition by the Brooklyn Nets in a complex four-team deal. His stint with Brooklyn saw him add two more All-Star appearances to his resume before his subsequent trade to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2022 trade deadline. In 2023, Harden once again showcased his versatility by leading the league in assists for the second time in his illustrious career. Additionally, Harden boasts a distinguished international career, representing the United States national team and securing gold medals at both the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

Harden's basketball journey began at Artesia High School in Lakewood, California. During his sophomore year, he showcased his burgeoning talent, averaging 13.2 points as Artesia boasted an impressive 28–5 record. Demonstrating remarkable progress, he elevated his performance in his junior year, tallying 18.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, leading Artesia to the coveted California state title with an outstanding 33–1 record. Harden continued his dominance in his senior year, contributing to Artesia's repeat championship with a stellar 33–2 record while maintaining similar statistics: 18.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. His outstanding high school career earned him recognition as a McDonald's All-American and secured him a spot on the second-team Parade All-American roster.

Beyond high school basketball, Harden made significant contributions to his AAU team, Pump-N-Run Elite, guiding them to victory in the 2006 Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 championship. Notably, in a crucial match against a formidable DC Assault team featuring notable players such as Michael Beasley, Nolan Smith, and Austin Freeman, Harden displayed his scoring prowess by notching 34 points. He continued his stellar performance with 33 points against the Houston Hoops on the same day. Ultimately, Pump-N-Run Elite clinched the championship by triumphing over Kevin Love's Southern California All-Stars in the final.

During his freshman year at Arizona State, the Sun Devils were projected to finish ninth in the Pac-10 Conference. However, propelled by Harden's impressive contributions of 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, they exceeded expectations, finishing with a commendable 21–13 (9–9) record and tying for fifth place in the Pac-10. Despite being considered a bubble team for the 2008 NCAA tournament, they ultimately missed out on a spot and instead participated in the 2008 NIT, where they defeated Alabama State and Southern Illinois before bowing out to defending national champions Florida.

Following his standout freshman season, Harden earned numerous accolades, including being named first-team All-Pac-10 and securing a spot on the conference's all-freshman team. Additionally, he received recognition as a first-team All-District player by both the NABC and the USBWA. As he entered his sophomore year, Harden's talent garnered widespread attention, with appearances on various pre-season All-American lists and gracing the cover of the Sports Illustrated college basketball preview issue. He also found himself included on the Wooden Award preseason watch list. Harden's sophomore season commenced on a high note, highlighted by a career-best performance where he scored 40 points in an 88–58 victory over UTEP on November 30, 2008.

Throughout his sophomore campaign, Harden continued to excel, averaging impressive statistics of 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His stellar performance earned him a spot on the 2009 All-Pac-10 Tournament Team, despite Arizona State's defeat by USC at the Staples Center. Harden's exceptional contributions did not go unnoticed, as he was named the Pacific-10 Conference's Player of the Year and garnered consensus All-American honors. Following the conclusion of the season, which ended with a second-round NCAA tournament loss to Syracuse, Harden announced his decision to declare for the 2009 NBA draft, enlisting Rob Pelinka as his agent for the transition to professional basketball.