Among the best shooting guards in National Basketball League (NBA) history, James Harden contributed to popularise a three-point shot that transformed the game. Apart from three scoring crowns, Harden was crowned the MVP of the NBA in 2018. Though he has past spells with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers, he presently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
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James Harden Early Life
Though Monja Willis and James Harden, Sr. raised him mostly, Harden was born in Los Angeles. Living in Compton, California, the family comprised a sister and half brother. Originally concentrating on baseball, Harden played first base and pitched. But around the age of ten, he developed a passion for basketball while playing for a Watts district Los Angeles recreational team.
Attending Artesia High School in neighbouring Lakewood, California, Harden guided the junior and senior teams to consecutive state titles averaging approximately 19 points per game both years. Many of the top Pac-10 (later Pac-12) universities—including the University of Washington, University of Arizona, and University of California at Los Angeles— recruited Harden. At last he signed with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
He led the conference in thefts during his first year (2007–08) with 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Harden was selected for the first team of Pac-10 as well as all-freshman team. With an average of 20.1 points and 4.2 assists per game, Harden’s performance was even more robust the next season. Consensus All-American and named Player of the Year for Pac-10, he was Harden announced for the NBA draft following the Sun Devils’ second round NCAA tournament loss.
James Harden Net Worth 2025
American professional basketball player James Harden boasts a net worth of $165 million. Among NBA players, James is among the most compensated ones. His yearly base pay alone comes out to be around $35 million, and he makes millions more via sponsorships.
Important Points
- Made $227 million in pay over his first NBA decade.
- Makes $44 million annually now; ranks fifth among all the players in NBA history.
- In 2015 signed a $200 million agreement with Adidas.
- From Adidas alone, makes $15 million annually.
- owns a Houston $10 million house.
James Harden Contracts and James Harden Salary
As an NBA player, Harden was making roughly $14.7 million year at first. As he become increasingly important for the Rockets, this price later rose to almost $40 million. Harden became the richest player in NBA history when it came out in 2017 that he had signed a fresh contract. James received an average annual salary of $47 million from the four-year agreement with the Rockets, which valued $228 million.
By the fourth year of his contract, 2021, Harden would have made more than $530,000 every game. His whole career earnings—salary and endorsements taken together—by the end of his deal will be north of $560 million. James Harden made $47 million from salary and sponsorships between June 2016 and June 2017. James Harden made $47 million somewhere between June 2017 and June 2018. From his several activities, James made $45 million between June 2018 and June 2019.
Harden’s contract was about expired in 2020. Houston extended a two-year, $103 million deal to keep him with the organisation. Hardness turned down. The agreement would have made Harden the first player to have ever earned at least $50 million in a season. Having three years and $132.9 million left on his contract, Harden will still make plenty of money. To promote a trade to another team, namely the Brooklyn Nets, Harden most likely turned down the extension. January 2021 was that trade month.
Following trade to the 76ers, Harden signed a two-year, $68.64 million contract with Philadelphia. He picked up his $35.6 million player option with the club in June 2023. Before the 2023–2024 season, he was bought to the Clippers.
Over his NBA career, Harden has made more than $40 million in income only from salaries.
Brand Endorsements
James Harden agreed a $200-million contract to depart Nike for competitor apparel firm Adidas in 2015. James receives an average of $15 million annually from the 13-year contract on top of his basketball compensation, which is currently more than $40 million annually. Another well-known appearance of Harden in State Farm Insurance advertisements is in
James Harden’s beard won him support from Trolli’s in which every gum candy showed his face and beard.
2019 saw Harden join as a part owner in the MLS Houston Dynamo and the NWSL Houston Dash.
Real Estate
2015 saw Harden pay two million dollars on a house in Houston. Originally, another NBA player, Cuttino Mobley owned the property. Built in 2002 with Mediterranean design elements, the house is located in a gated enclave close to the Royal Oaks Country Club beside a golf course. The property is really opulent with seven thousand square feet of living area and four bedrooms. Among the noteworthy elements are a theatre room, a stone fireplace, and a soaring stairway. The house also rests on a half-acre area of ground featuring a spa and an infinity pool.
2019 saw Harden spend much more on a far larger estate. For the house, which spans 3.5 acres of land in Rivercrest, a wealthy suburban area of Houston, he apparently spent $10 million. Covering an astounding 26,000 square feet, the house boasts a fitness area, a wine room and a full bar. The residence has modern-inspired, steel structure.
James Harden Club
Though he had past stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers, he now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
James Harden Wife
James Harden is not married. He used to be dating Christina Milian, who is a model and actress. Currently he is in a relation-ship with Paije Speights, who is a model and actress.
James Harden Girlfriend
NBA star James Harden has had a number of public relationships; some of them have been extensively covered. Still, the specifics of his meetings with each girlfriend are not always clear-cut. Usually, public sightings or media reports define their relationship chronology.
1. Khloe Kardashian’s relationship: 2015–2016
James Harden and Khloe Kardashian apparently crossed paths via NBA contacts. 2015 saw their relationship made public following their joint sightings. Relationship started in late 2015 and broke up early in 2016.
Khloe Kardashian’s Information:
- 5’10” (178 cm)
- About 160 lbs (73 kg).
- June 27, 1984; forty years old
- TV personality, businesswoman, socialite noted for “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”
2. Riley Curry (Rumoured) Relationship: 2016 (Rumored)
James Harden is allegedly seeing Riley Curry, daughter of NBA star Stephen Curry. These 2016 rumours were disproved. NBA friends and family brought them forward.
First Publicised Date: Though neither party verified, rumours started to surface in 2016.
- Riley Curry was young, thus this was most likely not a romantic relationship:
- As an adult, she stood 5’8″ (173 cm).
- Age: 12 (July 19, 2012)
- Though her parents are NBA player Stephen Curry and cook, TV personality, and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry, she is still a child.
3. Monyetta Shaw, rumoured, 2016 Relationship
Rumour has it that James Harden’s ex-fiance, Monyetta Shaw, dated in 2016.
First Publicised Date: Although they were seen together at 2016 social gatherings, their relationship was mostly secret.
- 5’2″ (157-centimeter) measurement
- About 130 kg, or pounds.
- 43 (born May 30, 1981)
- Profession: TV personality and businesswoman pushing women’s emancipation.
4. Ashanti Relationship Timeline: 2021-2022
James Harden and Ashanti first came together in 2021. Often pictures of the couple highlighted their relationship.
First Publicised Date: Although their relationship was reported to have ended in early 2022, In 2021 see publically.
- 5’3″ (160 cm)
- about 61 kg, or 135 lbs.
- October 13, 1980—44
- well-known actress, songwriter, and singer noted for “Foolish” and “Rock Wit U.”
5. Jessie Christy Relationship Timeline: 2021 (rumoured)
They got together in 2021 after model and influencer Jessie Christy connected James Harden. They showed up public and on social media together.
Their relationship was exposed in middle of 2021.
- 5’9″ (175 cm)
- About 59 kg, or 130 lbs.
- Although her birthdate is unknown, she most certainly falls in her late 20s or early 30s.
- Model, guru, and social media star.
6. Paije Speights relationship with James Harden (2024)
Renowned model and influencer Paije Speights has been linked romantically to NBA star James Harden. Still, the specifics of their first meeting—including the exact time and date—are not publically known.
- Profile of Paije Speights –
- height: 5’6″ (168 cm)
- weight: About 125 lbs (57 kg).
James Harden Biography in Brief
| Name: | James Harden |
| Nick Name: | The Beard, Step Daddy, No D Harden |
| Age: | 35 |
| Born: | August 26, 1989 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 6’5″ (196 cm) |
| Weight: | 220 lbs (100 kg) |
| Country of Origin: | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Net Worth/Salary | $150 Million/ $35 Million |
| Girlfriend | Khloe Kardashian, Riley Curry, Monyetta Shaw, Ashanti, Jessie Christy, Paije Speights |
| Relationship Status |
Unmarried |
| Kids |
0 |
| Father | James Harden Sr. |
| Mother | Monja Willis |
| Siblings (Elder-Bro. & Younger Sister) |
2 Siblings – Wayne Harden, Arneasha Harden |
| Social Media |
Twitter – Instagram – Facebook |
James Harden Career
Many of the top Pac-10 (later Pac-12) universities—including the University of Washington, University of Arizona, and University of California at Los Angeles— recruited Harden. At last he signed with the Arizona State Sun Devils. He led the conference in steals during his first year (2007–08) averaging 17.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Harden was selected for the first team of Pac-10 as well as all-freshman team. With an average of 20.1 points and 4.2 assists per game, Harden’s performance was even more robust the next season. Consensus All-American and named Player of the Year for Pac-10, he was Harden announced for the NBA draft following the Sun Devils’ second round NCAA tournament loss.
James Harden NBA Career
The Oklahoma City Thunder choose Harden as their third overall draft pick. Not starting in his first season (2009–10), he came off the bench to play in 76 games averaging 9.9 points. Harden made the All-Rookie second team at the end of the season.
The next two seasons he kept coming off the bench; in 2011–12 he scored almost 17 points per game along with 3.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds. That season the Thunder progressed to the NBA finals but lost five games to the Miami Heat.
Declared the sixth man of the year in the NBA, Harden honours the league’s best bench player. 2012 saw him also participate on the U.S. men’s basketball team that took home a gold medal from the London Olympics. Apart from his performance, Harden was also getting compliments on his full beard, which turned into his trademark appearance during this period.
Oklahoma City extended a four-year, $55 million contract offer to Harden in the offseason; he turned it down. He was traded to the Houston Rockets shortly before the 2012–13 regular season began, and they signed him straight away to a five-year, $80 million contract extension.
Anticipated to be a major team player, Harden went from the bench to the starting line. Given his 25.9 points per game and first-time NBA All-Star designation, he praised the Rockets’ gamble.
Houston lost in the first round but made the playoffs for the first time in four years. Finished second (behind Stephen Curry) in voting for the MVP award, Harden registered 27.4 points per game and increased his assists to 7. Though they had little playoff success, the Harden-led Rockets rose to become among the league’s winningest teams in the 2010s.
2023 James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers guard (centre), driving between two Sacramento Kings players. Harden won his first MVP trophy, scored 30.4 points and averaging 8.8 assists per game( 2017–18 season). James Harden also first took home the NBA scoring championship that season.
His hot run persisted; in the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons respectively, he scored 36.1 and 34.3 points per game. In both seasons he once more led the league in scoring. Part of Harden’s success has come from his three-point shot, in which he steps back before launching the basketball. In the game, the step-back three-pointer has become rather popular and significantly raised the three-pointer count taken—and made.
The Rockets had made the postseason in every season but had not progressed past the Western Conference finals thus far in Harden’s tenure. This prompted Harden to demand a trade in 2020; early the following year he was dispatched to the Brooklyn Nets.
Though he started to deal with hamstring problems, Harden kept up good numbers in a more limited capacity. Though their star-studded roster included his Thunder teammate Kevin Durant, the Nets battled to find playoff success; midway through the 2021–22 season Harden was sold to the Philadelphia 76ers.
He was teamed with strong big man Joel Embiid, and Harden performed admisitely in the 2022–23 season. He missed his first All-Star team after 10 straight selections, but with 10.7 in assists in his new supporting role he reached a near-career-high. But following a playoff loss in the Eastern Conference semifinal, Harden asked for a trade in August 2023; in October he was dispatched to the Los Angeles Clippers.
James Harden Fun Facts
1. At age three, he began playing basketball : Early on in life, James Harden loved basketball. At the tender age of three, he picked up the ball; from then, his love of the game only intensified. Early start gave him a head start in honing his abilities, which finally brought him to his NBA career.
2. He was an All-American in High School : From a young age, Harden clearly had ability. At Artesia High School in California, he excelled and was named a McDonald’s All-American, a coveted title bestowed upon the best high school basketball players in the nation.
3. He played Arizona State college basketball : Following high school, Harden choose to play collegiate basketball at Arizona State University. He started right away, guiding the Sun Devils to the NCAA Tournament during his first year. With his outstanding performance, Harden confirmed his future NBA star reputation and won the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year accolades.
4. He drew third overall in the 2009 NBA Draft : When Holden was chosen third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, his NBA aspirations came true. He teamed with a young, gifted team rapidly establishing itself in the league.
5. He claimed an NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award : Harden was a major off-bench scorer and playmaker for the Thunder, arriving to add points and action. His impact and adaptability were demonstrated by his 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
6. In 2012 he was traded to the Houston Rockets : 2012 saw Harden traded to the Houston Rockets, an NBA move that rocked the league. With this trade, he started a new chapter in his career that would see him rise to become a league powerhouse and main force.
7. He grabbed an NBA Scoring Title : In Houston, Harden’s offensive power was on full show. Leading the league in scoring in 2018, he proved his ability to generate points at a startling pace. One of the best scorers in NBA history, his success can be mostly attributed to his scoring prowess.
8. He is most known for his signature step-back jumper : Among the most recognisable shots in the NBA is Harden’s step-back jumper. Defence on this challenging shot is difficult; Harden has perfected it. He routinely scores from beyond the arc and employs his signature move to make room for his shot.
9. He’s a Fashion Icon : Off the court, Harden is renowned for his own style. He’s been highlighted in many fashion magazines and frequently seen sporting designer clothing and accessories. Because of his sense of style, Harden has become a fashion icon and motivated a lot of people to follow his direction.
10: He is a philanthropist : Harden stays rooted even with his wealth and celebrity. He is a fervent philanthropist having given millions of dollars to several causes. He is dedicated to changing the world and returning the favour to the society.
James Harden is a really unusual and outstanding athlete. He’s a brilliant scorer, a deft playmaker, and a chic person with a golden heart. These ten interesting facts hardly cover his life; there is still much to discover about this NBA player.
