Playing at the McDonald's All-American game was probably a good sneak peak into the level of college basketball for the ASU freshman. The guard was voted Player of the Year and averaged 18.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. In fact, Harden started making serious waves in the summer of 2006 where not only did his AAU club Pump ‘N Run Elite win two of the biggest West Coast tournaments (The Adidas Super 64 and Best of Summer), but the guard was the MVP of both those tournaments.įollowing that highly productive summer, Harden led the Pioneers to its second consecutive state championship and a 33-1 campaign. The McDonald's All-American game that Harden was part of was the icing on the cake for what was an impressive 2006-07 season. "When it's time to be serious he's serious, and when it's time to have fun he's a real relaxed person." "He's the same coach like he was in high school," Harden replied. Coach always had me do extra shooting, and be more aggressive…it's paying off right now."Īnd has Coach Pera changed now that he's Harden's college coach? I was six feet back then, and I just grew taller and my body matured. "He had me running, and I had Asthma my freshman year but I grew out of it. "Since my freshman year he's been on me, working me to death," said Harden. After all, he has been someone Harden immensely respects and credits his development to. It goes without saying that Pera was ultimately a significant factor in Harden's pledge to the maroon and gold. "I knew I would stay in the Pac-10 and I ended up coming to ASU." Harden gave his verbal commitment to ASU in August of last year. "I had other things in mind – Washington, staying home and playing for UCLA…," he recalled. It was believed then that it was a slam dunk that the guard would follow his coach to Tempe, yet Harden said that he truly kept his options open. The Sun Devils offered Harden in May of last year and the following month announced the hiring of Harden's high school coach, Scott Pera, as Director of Basketball Operations (since then Pera has been promoted to Assistant Coach).
Even though Harden had been to the Phoenix area a couple of times in the past to visit family, he didn't know much about the Sun Devils until he was being recruited by Head Coach Herb Sendek, who at the time was just a couple months or so in his new post at ASU.
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He's trying to make as much time as possible for social activities, but his busy workout and school schedule don't allow him that much free time.Īrizona State recruited Harden ever since his junior year, which was the first of two California state championships that the guard had won with Lakewood Artesia High School. Harden added that life outside the gym has been enjoyable. I've been trying to improve everyday and (Strength Coach) Coach Rich (Wenner) has been on me and it shows." "Since I've been here, I gained eight pounds of muscle (he's up to 227 pounds) and dropped 2% of body fat.
"We're just trying to get stronger, see where we're at right now, so when school starts we know what we have to do to prepare for the season," Harden stated. Part of these preparations are rigorous summer workouts, and the guard said they're paying their dividends for him and the rest of Arizona State's freshman class. "They're on me everyday to work hard," he explained, "they say ‘don't settle for less…don't think you're too good right now…you're in college now and guys are stronger, quicker, faster…' they've just been preparing me."
His personality and character isn't one that needs to be reminded to be level-headed, but even if it did, his teammates have ensured that Harden will worry about the important things and better himself. I'm just worrying about my studies (Harden reportedly has straight A's in all of his summer school classes) and prepare myself for the season." "I just try to workout everyday not worrying about being a McDonald's All-American. "I haven't heard the hype since I've been here," said James Harden.
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