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Arizona State's Harden qualifies for elite company (Los Angeles Times, Jan. 29, 2008)
SUN DEVIL DATA: The freshly-turned 18-year old (Aug. 26) is ranked as high as 11th-best in the nation (Rivals.com) and is the fifth Sun Devil McDonald All-American in school history, but the first to sign with ASU out of high school since Chris Sandle in 1984. Southpaw exploded on the 2006 summer scene which led to the label of best prep player in California last season. Combine his AAU team (Pump-N-Run) and Artesia records in the past few years and you have more than 100 wins and less than five losses. From same high school that produced Ed and Charles O'Bannon. Won MVP honors at the adidas 64 Tournament in Las Vegas in summer of 2006. Played for ASU assistant coach Scott Pera in high school and alongside current Sun Devil Derek Glasser and played for former UCLA coach Jim Harrick in the summer 2006 on the AAU circuit.
GOOD NOTE: Rivals.com ranked all the Pac-10 recruits this summer and tabbed James Harden with "Best Shooter" and "Best Basketball IQ" while giving classmate Jamelle McMillan "Best Defender" honors.
ARTESIA HIGH SCHOOL: Led team to 33-2 record in senior year and second straight state title by averaging 18.8 points, 7.9 boards and 3.9 assists en route to trophy-case full of Player of the Year honors...averaged 18.8 points, 7.7 boards and 3.5 assists in junior year as state title team went 33-1 and he shot nearly 60 percent from the floor...averaged 13.2 points in sophomore year as team went 28-5.
McDONALD'S ALL-AMERICANS AT ASU REVIEW: Arizona State has had three McDonald's All-Americans in its history prior to Eric Boateng and James Harden joining the program. Byron Scott (1979), Chris Sandle (1984) and Jamal Faulkner (1989). Boateng earned the honor in 2005 and then transferred to ASU after attending Duke in 2005-06 while Harden earned the honor in 2007. Jamal Faulkner attended prep school prior to attending Arizona State (1990-1992) and transferred to Alabama. Chris Sandle transferred to UTEP after playing at ASU for two seasons (1984-1986).
ETC.: Born Aug. 26, 1989...mother is Monja Willis.
"...none are smoother than the left-handed Harden, who is the best prospect in the California senior class. He shoots well, passes well. He'll fit in perfect (at ASU)."--Scout.com national columnist Frank Burlison, on checking out the top talent from Las Vegas tournaments in the summer of 2006. Burlison compared James Harden to Golden State Warrior general manager Chris Mullin with his jump shot and basketball smarts.
GETTING TO KNOW JAMES HARDEN
The most interesting thing I did this summer was...lived with Ty Abbott in dormitory.
Pre-meet ritual or superstition...music.
Best advice ever received...reach for the sky and if you fail you will still be among the stars.
Teammate who would be a good coach in the future...Steve Jones.
Best-dressed teammate...me.
The player who will surprise the most people this year is...Ty Abbott.
The most underrated player on the team is...Jerren Shipp.
Favorite professional athlete...Kobe Bryant.
I'd like to switch places for a day with...no one.
Non-sports figure I admire most...brother.
What I like most about Coach Sendek...he teaches very well.
Funniest teammate...Antwi Atuahene.
The toughest adjustment to college basketball is...all of the workouts.
The strongest player on the team is...Jeff Pendergraph.
If I could have lunch with anyone, it would be...Kobe Bryant.
If I could live anywhere, I would live in...Los Angeles.
The biggest influence on my career was...mom.
My advice to youngsters is...keep working hard to reach your dreams.
Something most people don't know about me is...like a lot of slow music.
The game I am looking forward to the most this year is...UCLA and USC.
My most prized possession is...my basketball.
