James Harden gives Arizona State’s highest-rated recruit blessing to wear retired No. 13
LAKEWOOD, Calif. — Before the Houston Rockets star became an NBA MVP and the league’s scoring leader, James Harden committed to Arizona State University as the program’s most prized recruit (No. 14 in the 2007 class) at the time.
Harden didn’t disappoint, averaging 19 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game over two memorable seasons with the Sun Devils. He was then selected No. 3 overall by Oklahoma City in the 2009 NBA Draft.
In 2015, “The Beard” had his No. 13 ASU jersey retired into the rafters of Wells Fargo Arena next to the likes of NBA legends Alton Lister, Eddie House and Byron Scott. The Pac-12 said days after the retirement ceremony that Harden’s jersey would “remain there for the foreseeable eternity,” but it appears that eternity lasted about five years.
Joshua Christopher of Mayfair High School — the No. 10 overall player in the 2020 class, according to 247Sports — committed to ASU in April as the highest-rated recruit in Sun Devils history, slightly edging out Harden.
Not only are Christopher and Harden both program-changers, they both hail from Lakewood, Calif. and wore No. 13 during their prolific prep careers. There might soon be another No. 13 to steal the hearts of Sun Devil fans, and it looks as though Harden has no issue with that.
Back in April, Harden promoted Christopher’s commitment video on Twitter and just weeks later, Christopher indicated that Harden signed off on him using the storied No. 13 at ASU.
Got the Blessing @JHarden13 🤝 https://t.co/5rljEibr6Q
— Josh(ua) Christopher (@Jaygup23) May 7, 2020
At 6-foot-4, Christopher averaged 29.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game as a senior at Mayfair. The five-star guard earned invites to the 2020 McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic after a stellar prep career that included CIF Southern Section Division 1 Player of the Year in 2020 and Division 2AA Player of the Year in 2019.
Christopher’s brother, Caleb, will be a sophomore on the Sun Devils’ basketball squad in 2020-21.
Hall of Famer Dick Vitale called Christopher’s commitment “a major get” for ASU head coach Bobby Hurley. Although Harden’s MVP footsteps will be tough to follow, it’s unlikely the eight-time NBA All-Star would offer up his retired number for just anyone.
