Editing James Harden (section)

=== Early Life and College Career ===
James Harden was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. Raised in a tough neighborhood, Harden’s path to basketball greatness was shaped by both his natural talent and a strong work ethic. He attended Artesia High School, where he quickly made a name for himself as a highly skilled player. Harden led his team to a state championship and earned national recognition as one of the top high school players in the country.

After high school, Harden attended Arizona State University, where he played one season of college basketball (2007-2008). In his freshman year, Harden averaged 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, earning Pac-10 Player of the Year honors and establishing himself as one of the top prospects for the 2009 NBA Draft. His performance at Arizona State was enough to elevate him into the conversation as one of the most polished and versatile players in the draft class, and he declared for the NBA Draft after one year in college.