James Harden is an American professional basketball player popularly known by his nickname "The Beard". He is playing as a shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA.
He is one of the most prolific scorers and one of the NBA's best shooters. He is also one of the leading global league players. The basketball star is also known for his stellar beard.
How did his life go? How did he come to play in the NBA? From his early days, up to date, find out everything you need to know about James Harden.
James Harden Biography
James Edward Harden Jr. was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. His father, James Sr., a former marine, was mainly absent from his life. His father also started consuming cocaine and is often in and out of jail. While, his mother, Monja Willis, brought Harden and his two siblings up in the notorious Compton neighborhood. Arnique Jenkins is his half-sister, while Akili Roberson is the name of his half-brother.
James Harden Weight
Harden weighs 220 lbs, according to NBA's official site. However, he looked far more round than usual when he appeared for his first pre-season game for Houston Rockets in December 2020. Once he finally forced his way out of Houston and got his trade to the Brooklyn Nets, the 31-year-old seemed fit again.
James Harden Height
James Harden stands tall at 6 ft 5 in. By the time he tried out the Artesia High School basketball boy team in Lakewood, Harden stood at a relatively small 6 ft 1 in and was hindered by asthma. However, he immediately impressed his coaches with his game instincts and after spreading a couple of inches, became one of the top players in the nation.
James Harden Career
Harden completed high school in Artesia in 2007. He then attended the State University of Arizona and starred with the basketball team of the Arizona State Sun Devils. During his tenure there he was named the Pac 10- Conference Player of the Year and an All-American. He went to the National Basketball Association after his final year. The Oklahoma City Thunder picked him in the 2009 NBA draft as the third overall.
He played for the Thunders until 2012 and there received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. Shortly before the beginning of the 2012 season, he moved on to the Houston Rockets, reportedly due to the fact that he couldn't agree new terms with the Thunders. There played alongside NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Come the first few weeks of the 2020 season, it seemed like Harden wasn't intending to stay with the Rockets anymore. Therefore, he was traded in a four-team contract in January 2021, to the Brooklyn Nets.
