ARIZONA STATE BASKETBALL

James Harden stops by Arizona State’s practice to play pick-up

Jul 20, 2017, 6:00 PM

James Harden is coming off signing the richest extension in NBA history, but that doesn’t mean he has forgotten his roots.

The Houston Rockets guard stopped by Arizona State University Thursday to play a little pick-up basketball with this year’s team at practice.

Harden, who is regarded as one of the greatest Sun Devil basketball players the school has ever seen, played two years in Tempe.

Wearing maroon and gold for 69 games from 2007-09, he found himself on the school’s all-time record books, finishing third in scoring average (19.0 points per game), third in 30+ point games (five), and 10th in steals (132).

Harden was named First-Team All-Pac-10 both years, and even earned First-Team All-American his last year in 2008-09.

Since leaving Tempe for the NBA, Harden has played eight years for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. He was an All-Star the last five seasons, and was second in the Most Valuable Player Award voting this past year.

He signed an extension on July 9 that will keep him in Houston through 2022-23, paying $228 million.

Arizona State Basketball

Bobby Hurley claps during a game...

Arizona Sports

5-star big man Jayden Quaintance to sign with Arizona State

Recent Kentucky decommit Jayden Quaintance told ESPN that he will sign with the Arizona State Sun Devils in an impressive 2024 class.

4 days ago

BJ Freeman #10 of the Milwaukee Panthers shoots the ball during the first half of the game against ...

David Veenstra

Milwaukee’s leading scorer BJ Freeman commits to Arizona State

Milwaukee transfer BJ Freeman committed to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils men’s basketball on Saturday.

5 days ago

Dennis Evans...

Arizona Sports

Grand Canyon basketball lands Louisville transfer, former 4-star recruit Dennis Evans

Dennis Evans, a 7-foot transfer from Louisville, announced his commitment to Grand Canyon men's basketball on social media Friday.

6 days ago

Austin Nunez #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils drives against Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Creight...

David Veenstra

Former Arizona State guard Austin Nunez commits to Sun Devils

Former Arizona State guard Austin Nunez is coming back to the Sun Devils after spending a season at Ole Miss.

8 days ago

Jamiya Neal...

Arizona Sports

Jamiya Neal transfers from Arizona State to Creighton

Former Arizona State men's basketball player Jamiya Neal announced his commitment to Creighton on social media Wednesday.

8 days ago

Isaiah Jackson...

Arizona Sports

Arizona State baseball’s Isaiah Jackson climbs wall for home run robbery

Arizona State center fielder Isaiah Jackson made his case for SportsCenter's Top 10 plays with a home run robbery Sunday against UCLA. 

11 days ago

James Harden stops by Arizona State’s practice to play pick-up