May 10, 2012
Here are 13 things to remember about James Harden (he wore No. 13 at ASU and wears it now in the NBA) in honor of him winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
1
He is the only (as in only one) men's basketball consensus All-American in school history. He earned the honor in 2008-09.
Best outfit accepting an NBA award goes to...James Harden twitpic.com/9jlz26
-- darren rovell (@darrenrovell) May 11, 2012
2
He is the second Sun Devil to win a major individual player award in the NBA, joining Ike Austin who won the Most Improved Player Award in 1996-97.
@JHarden13 congrats on the award bro . Great accomplishments
-- Jahii Carson(@Jahii_carson1) May 10, 2012
3
Became just third sophomore in Pac-10 history to earn Pac-10 Player of the Year when he earned the honor in 2008-09, joining Mike Bibby (1997-98) and Jason Kidd (1993-94). Also was the third Sun Devil to earn the honor behind Eddie House (1999-2000) and Ike Diogu (2004-05).
Harden is the second youngest player to win Sixth Man of the Year. Ben Gordon beat him out by mere months.
-- Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 11, 2012
4
Was one of five first-team All-Pac-10 players in 2007-08 (freshman year), but was the only one to return the next season. How good was the Pac-10 that year? First-team honors besides Harden went to sophomore Ryan Anderson, sophomore Brook Lopez, freshman Kevin Love and freshman O.J. Mayo.
@JHarden13 is a STAR -congrats to the voters as James absolutely DESERVED the 6th man award- @MettaWorldPeacelearn from JAMES = CLASS!
-- Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 10, 2012
5
He was 5-0 against Arizona, including a three-game sweep in 2008-09.
6
He just won the NBA's Sixth Man Award. In case you are wondering, he only came off the bench once in his college career in 69 games.
7
When he scored 20 points in his Sun Devil career, ASU lost just seven games. It won the other 27.
Congrats to former Sun Devil James Harden on the NBA's 6th man of the year award! Well deserved. Been fun watching! #SunDevilPride
-- Brock Osweiler (@BrockOsweiler) May 10, 2012
8
He was eighth in the Pac-10 in assists in his sophomore year (2008-09). This was same year he led league in scoring (20.1), 20-point games (18) and steals (1.69 per game).
9
ASU won 22 home games in Pac-10 play in his two seasons, going 11-7 both seasons. It was 9-27 in the previous four seasons at home in Pac-10 play.
As part of its support for the Sixth Man award, Kia Motors donated a Kia Sorento today to the OKC YWCA on behalf of James Harden. #classy
-- Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 11, 2012
10
The highest ranking for him coming out of high school was 11th (by Rivals.com). So there were 10 players better than him that year on some lists. Yeah, right.
What would @SparkyArizonaSt look like with a beard standing next to @JHarden13 ? From this past November tinyurl.com/8x26c82 @JoeHealey42
-- Doug Tammaro (@DougTammaro) May 11, 2012
11
His career high in assists was 11 vs. UCLA on Feb. 12, 2009, when the Sun Devils topped No. 11 UCLA in a ESPN game.
Yep. This officially exists. And it is awesome. Just like James Harden. RT @dailythunder: Video: Beard like Harden: dailythunder.com/2012/05/video-...
-- Steve Pierce (@steve_pierce) May 11, 2012
12
ASU was one of just 12 teams ranked every week in his sophomore season. ASU was 14th in the Jan. 26, 2009, Associated Press poll, the first time in school history it was the highest ranked Pac-10 team in the poll.
13
Only a matter of time before the Number 13 is hanging in Wells Fargo Arena rafters.