James Harden

2023 - 2 - 23

How James Harden is helping a Michigan State shooting survivor heal (ESPN)

The 76ers superstar FaceTimed the survivor, John Hao, in the hospital and gifted him a new pair of sneakers.

That's what I value, and that's what makes me happy, obviously other than basketball, family, things like that. "This is real life, you know what I mean? "It's bigger than basketball," Harden said. I got some things coming your way, hopefully give you some encouragement and make you smile a little bit, you know what I mean? "And that's what I've got this platform for. Harden said members of his team heard about Hao's situation, so a couple of them went to visit Hao at Sparrow Hospital, where he remains after the shooting.

NBA star James Harden speaks with hospitalized Michigan State ... (CNN)

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden spoke via video call Wednesday with John Hao, a fan of Harden's and one of the Michigan State University students ...

In its first home game since the shooting, the men’s basketball team [claimed an emotional victory](https://twitter.com/MSU_Basketball/status/1628572559792033795) over the Indiana Hoosiers on Tuesday, as the crowd wore white to honor those lost or wounded. Gifts from Harden to Hao include a pair of game-worn sneakers. [wounded in a mass shooting](http://www.cnn.com/2023/02/13/us/michigan-state-university-shots-fired/index.html) on campus last week.

76ers star James Harden reaches out to Michigan State shooting ... (Yahoo Sports)

John Hao, 20, was among those injured when a gunman opened fire at Michigan State earlier this month. He was paralyzed from the waist down.

Sixers' James Harden aims to uplift Michigan State shooting survivor ... (NBC Sports)

A reflective James Harden talked Thursday night about passing Allen Iverson in career scoring and aiming to uplift Michigan State shooting survivor John Hao ...

“I’m just fortunate and blessed to be in a position where I can make an impact in people’s lives,” Harden said. So the more I can just encourage and rub off this energy that I have and give him hope, I feel like that’s what I’m here for. I heard that he was a fan of mine, so I wanted to get on that ASAP and just see what I could do. … I gave him my number so whenever he feels like he needs anything, he can call me and I can check up on him.” So a couple of people from my team flew up there, were actually in the hospital with him, and brought him some things to kind of cheer him up, make him smile. “Being in the NBA was a far-fetched dream,” he said.

James Harden surprises fan paralyzed in MSU shooting with ... (ABC News)

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden encouraged his fan John Hao, 20, who was shot and paralyzed from the chest down from the MSU shooting.

"I got some gifts for you too," Harden said. "There's things like that, where you sit back and think about just real life and things bigger than basketball," Harden said. I got you," Harden went on. "I got you. I'm with you." I promise you are," Harden told Hao.

James Harden makes donation, video chats with victim of Michigan ... (CBSSports.com)

John Hao, a student who was left paralyzed by the attack, is a huge fan of the 76ers star.

Harden has also given Hao his phone number so they can stay in touch, and he's hopeful that someday Hao could be a guest of his at a game. I love when you're smiling, alright? When Harden heard that Hao is a huge fan of his, he decided to do what he could to help. I love when you're smiling too. Hao is a huge fan of James Harden, and when Harden heard Hao’s story, he stepped in:— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) He remains in the intensive care unit and faces a signifcant recovery in the months and years ahead.