James Harden
Born 1989 · Age 36
American professional basketball player, multiple-time All-NBA selection, 2018 NBA MVP, three-time NBA scoring champion, Olympic and FIBA gold medalist; nicknamed 'The Beard'.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against James Harden and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Los Angeles, California
James Edward Harden Jr. was born in Los Angeles to Monja Willis and James Harden Sr.
Fell in love with basketball
Around age 10 Harden began focusing on basketball while playing for a recreational team in Watts, Los Angeles.
AAU: Pump-N-Run Elite wins Adidas Super 64
Helped Pump-N-Run Elite win the 2006 Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 championship, scoring 34 and 33 in early rounds and helping beat Kevin Love's Southern California All-Stars in final.
Led Artesia HS to state title (junior)
As a junior at Artesia High he averaged ~18.8 PPG and led Artesia to a 33–1 record and the California state title.
Led Artesia HS to second consecutive state title; All-American honors
As a senior averaged ~18.8 PPG, guided Artesia to a 33–2 record and repeated as state champions; named McDonald's All‑American and second‑team Parade All‑American.
Signed with Arizona State Sun Devils
Committed to play college basketball at Arizona State University (2007–2009).
Named first‑team All‑Pac‑10 and all‑freshman
Following his freshman season (2007–08) Harden was named first‑team All‑Pac‑10 and to the Pac‑10 all‑freshman team; led conference in steals.
Scored career‑high 40 at Arizona State
Scored 40 points in an 88–58 victory over UTEP on November 30, 2008.
Pac‑10 Player of the Year and consensus All‑American
Named the Pacific‑10 Conference Player of the Year and a consensus first‑team All‑American after his sophomore season (2008–09).
Declared for 2009 NBA Draft; hired Rob Pelinka as agent
After Arizona State's 2009 NCAA Tournament exit, Harden declared for the NBA draft and employed agent Rob Pelinka.
Selected 3rd overall in 2009 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City Thunder
Drafted in the first round, third overall pick (2009 NBA draft) by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Hit seven straight 3‑pointers across two games (rookie season)
Connected on seven consecutive 3‑point field goals over Nov 18 & 20 during the 2009–10 season — most consecutive 3s by a rookie since 1999.
Named to NBA All‑Rookie Second Team
At the conclusion of his rookie season Harden earned All‑Rookie Second Team honors.
NBA Sixth Man of the Year; Thunder reach NBA Finals
Averaged 16.8 PPG in 2011–12, received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and helped Oklahoma City reach the 2012 NBA Finals (lost to Miami Heat in 5 games).
Won Olympic gold with Team USA (London 2012)
Member of the United States men's basketball team that won gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Oklahoma City offered contract extension ($52–$55M); Harden declined
During 2012 free agency OKC attempted a four‑year extension worth between $52M and $55M; Harden subsequently rejected and later was traded.
Traded to Houston Rockets
Traded Oct 27, 2012 from Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets in a multi‑player / pick deal.
Signed 5‑year, $80M extension with Rockets; Rockets debut 37 pts & 12 ast
On Oct 31, 2012 Harden signed a five‑year, $80 million extension and in his Rockets debut posted 37 points and a career‑high 12 assists.
Scored 45 in second game for Rockets
Two days after his Rockets debut Harden scored 45 points, giving him 82 points in his first two games with a new team — an NBA record.
Named 2013 NBA All‑Star (reserve) and All‑NBA Third Team
Earned his first All‑Star selection (2013) and was named to the All‑NBA Third Team for the 2012–13 season.
Recorded first NBA triple‑double
Registered first career triple‑double (21 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast) on Feb 2, 2013 vs Charlotte Bobcats.
Career‑high 46 vs Oklahoma City
Scored a career‑high (to that point) 46 points in a 122–119 win over former team OKC on Feb 20, 2013.
All‑NBA First Team (2014)
Earned All‑NBA First Team honors for the 2013–14 season.
FIBA World Cup gold (Spain 2014)
Member of the USA team that won the 2014 FIBA World Cup (gold medal).
Public relationship with Khloé Kardashian (summer 2015)
Harden was publicly linked with reality star Khloé Kardashian in the summer of 2015; relationship ended early 2016.
Finished 2nd in 2015 MVP voting; Rockets win division title
Finished second to Stephen Curry in 2014–15 MVP voting; helped Rockets to their first division title since 1994 and No.2 seed in West.
Signed 13‑year endorsement deal with Adidas
After his Nike contract ended Harden signed a long‑term endorsement deal with Adidas (reported as a 13‑year deal in sources).
Set NBA single‑season turnover record (374)
Finished 2015–16 season with 374 turnovers, the most in a season since the NBA began recording turnovers.
Recorded 33–17–14 game (rare historic statline)
On Jan 20, 2016 Harden became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain (1968) to post at least 33 points, 17 rebounds and 14 assists in a game.
Signed 4‑year, $118.1M extension with Rockets
On July 9, 2016 Harden signed a four‑year, $118.1 million contract extension with Houston.
Moved to point guard role (coach Mike D'Antoni)
In September 2016 coach Mike D'Antoni announced Harden would begin the 2016–17 season playing the point guard role.
Season opener: 34 pts, 17 ast, 8 reb
In the Rockets' 2016–17 season opener Harden posted 34 points, a career‑high 17 assists and eight rebounds (Oct 26, 2016).
Harden Vol. 1 signature shoe released (Adidas)
Adidas released Harden's first signature shoe, the Harden Vol. 1, in November 2016.
Historic 50–15–15 triple‑double
On Dec 31, 2016 Harden recorded 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds — the first 50–15–15 stat line in NBA history.
Pledged $1 million for Hurricane Harvey relief
In 2017 Harden pledged $1 million to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Led NBA in assists (11.2 apg) and finished 2nd MVP voting
Finished 2016–17 regular season as the NBA assists leader (11.2 APG) and placed second in MVP voting to Russell Westbrook.
Founded 3 The Harden Way Inc.
Formed a philanthropic/educational organization focused on providing higher‑learning opportunities for youth.
Passed 10,000 points as a Rocket
On Feb 3, 2017 Harden scored his 10,000th point as a Houston Rocket, moving into sixth in franchise scoring history at that time.
Signed 4‑year extension (~$160M); richest contract in NBA history at signing
On July 8, 2017 Harden signed an approximately $160 million, four‑year extension; the deal made his six‑year guaranteed compensation roughly $228M.
Scored then‑career high 56 points
On Nov 5, 2017 Harden scored a career‑high 56 points in a 137–110 win over the Utah Jazz.
Recorded 60‑point triple‑double (historic)
On Jan 30, 2018 Harden became the first NBA player to record 60 points as part of a triple‑double (60 pts, 10+ rebounds, 11+ assists) — a franchise single‑game scoring record.
Harden Vol. 2 debuted at NBA All‑Star Weekend
Adidas debuted the Harden Vol. 2 signature shoe during NBA All‑Star Weekend in February 2018.
Helped Rockets reach 60 wins for first time in franchise history
On Mar 25, 2018 Harden recorded a triple‑double while helping Houston reach 60 wins in a season for the first time ever.
Named NBA Most Valuable Player (2017–18)
Harden was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2017–18 season (June 2018), and also won the NBPA MVP for 2017–18.
Won 2018–19 scoring title; unanimous All‑NBA First Team
Finished the 2018–19 season as the NBA scoring champion (30.4 PPG) and was a unanimous All‑NBA First Team selection.
Scored career‑high 61 points (first time in season)
On Jan 23, 2019 Harden scored a career‑high 61 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a 114–110 win over the New York Knicks.
First player to score 30+ against all 29 other teams in single season
On Mar 19, 2019 Harden became the first player in NBA history to score 30+ points against every other team in a single season.
Recorded 50‑point triple‑double (historic season)
On Mar 31, 2019 Harden had 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists — one of his multiple 50‑point triple‑doubles; set franchise and NBA milestones that season.
Western Conference Player of the Week (Nov 11, 2019)
Named Western Conference Player of the Week after a torrid stretch in November 2019.
Fourth career 60‑point game
Scored 60 points (Nov 30, 2019) in a 158–111 win vs the Atlanta Hawks — his fourth career 60‑point game.
Third consecutive NBA scoring title (2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20)
Capped a run of three straight NBA scoring titles with the 2019–20 season.
NBA season suspended (COVID‑19)
The 2019–20 NBA season was suspended on March 11, 2020 due to the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Demanded a trade and reported late to training camp
Harden demanded a trade from the Rockets in November 2020 and was late to team training camp.
Season‑high 44 pts, tied career‑high 17 assists
On Dec 26, 2020, Harden had 44 points and tied his career‑high with 17 assists in an overtime loss to Portland.
Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021 Harden was honored as one of the league's top 75 players on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Traded to Brooklyn Nets (four‑team deal)
On Jan 14, 2021 Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a multi‑team deal that sent significant assets to Houston.
Nets debut: 32 pts, 12 reb, 14 ast (triple‑double)
On Jan 16, 2021 Harden recorded 32 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists in his Nets debut — a 30‑point triple‑double debut (franchise and NBA notable marks).
Named Eastern Conference Player of the Month (March honors announced April 1)
Harden earned Player of the Month honors for March 2021 (announcement Apr 1), leading Nets to an Eastern Conference‑best 11–2 in March.
Historic 30–15–10 with zero turnovers
On Mar 1, 2021 Harden recorded 30 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds with zero turnovers — first player since 1977–78 to post a 30–15–10 with zero turnovers.
Returned from hamstring injury; postseason triple‑double to close first round
After hamstring issues Harden returned (May 12, 2021) and posted a triple‑double in Game 5 to clinch the first‑round series for Brooklyn.
Moved past Kyle Korver on all‑time 3‑pointers list
On Oct 22, 2021 Harden moved past Kyle Korver for fourth on the all‑time three‑pointers made list.
Entered health‑and‑safety protocols
Harden entered COVID‑19 health and safety protocols on Dec 14, 2021, missing three games.
Christmas Game: triple‑double with 36 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast
On Dec 25, 2021 Harden recorded 36 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 blocks in a Nets win versus the Lakers.
Traded to Philadelphia 76ers at 2022 trade deadline
At the 2022 NBA trade deadline (Feb 2022) Harden was traded from Brooklyn to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster package including Ben Simmons going to Brooklyn.
Career earnings milestone (reported to date on Basketball-Reference)
Basketball‑Reference notes Harden has made at least $374,330,943 in professional basketball earnings (cumulative reported up to its last update).
Led NBA in assists (second time in career, 2023)
In 2023 Harden led the league in assists for the second time in his career (previously 2016–17).
Exercised player option with 76ers ($35.6M)
In June 2023 Harden exercised a Philadelphia player option worth $35.6 million for the following season before requesting a trade later that summer.
Requested trade from 76ers
After the 2022–23 season Harden publicly criticized the team and requested a trade in August 2023.
Traded to Los Angeles Clippers (reported Oct 31, 2023; finalized Nov 1)
ESPN reported on Oct 31, 2023 that the Sixers agreed to trade Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers; the trade was finalized Nov 1, 2023.
Plays for Los Angeles Clippers (2023–present)
Began playing for the Los Angeles Clippers starting the 2023–24 season; continues his career there (2023–present).
Named to 11th NBA All‑Star Game (2025)
Named to his 11th NBA All‑Star Game in 2025, marking his continued All‑Star level play across multiple teams and seasons.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what James Harden and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Laura Deming
Born 1994 · Age 31
Venture capitalist and longevity researcher focused on life extension, founder/partner of The Longevity Fund and later age1; early lab researcher in aging, Thiel Fellow who left MIT to build venture-backed companies and funds in longevity.
Marc Lou
Born 1994 · Age 31
French solopreneur and serial SaaS maker — founder of ShipFast, Habits Garden and multiple small SaaS projects; known for rapid product launches, viral marketing, and paid courses.
Jaboukie Young-White
Born 1994 · Age 31
American comedian, actor, writer and musician known for social-media-driven comedy, correspondent work on The Daily Show, voice roles in animation, film and a music career as 'jaboukie.'
Vitalik Buterin
Born 1994 · Age 31
Russian–Canadian programmer, co‑founder of Ethereum and Bitcoin Magazine, prominent researcher and philanthropist in crypto, AI safety and longevity.
Bhuvan Bam
Born 1994 · Age 31
Indian comedian, writer, singer, actor, songwriter and YouTube personality best known for the comedy channel BB Ki Vines.
Lucy Guo
Born 1994 · Age 31
American entrepreneur, engineer and social media influencer; co‑founder of Scale AI and founder & CEO of Passes. As of 2025 she is reported to be the world's youngest self-made female billionaire due to her retained stake in Scale AI.