"We are in an age where if you're not starting as a freshman, you're a failure," USC Coach Tim Floyd said. "If you're not an NBA first-round pick by the time you're a sophomore, then something is wrong."
Harden was willing to risk it, returning to improve and try to lead the Sun Devils to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003.
Being a draft dodger has also made Harden the role model college coaches can use when trying to persuade others to put off the NBA.
"I'm sure people say that, and he'll be used as an example along those lines," Arizona State Coach Herb Sendek said. "But really, everybody will have to evaluate that decision on the merits as they pertain to themselves."
Arizona State's visit this week will give local freshmen something to think about. USC's DeMar DeRozan and UCLA's Jrue Holiday may wrestle with similar should-I-stay-or-should-I-go decisions.
"James Harden came back and now he's one of the top players in college basketball," DeRozan said. "That makes a strong statement when a player of his abilities does that. It proves to everybody that another year doesn't hurt."
Harden's numbers are up across the board. He is averaging 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and is shooting 56%.
His presence on the court is significantly higher and his drive to succeed sharper.
That was seen against Brigham Young on Dec. 20. The Sun Devils trailed the Cougars, 66-56, with nine minutes left. It was then, Harden said, "I decided I had to attack."
Harden scored 12 of the Sun Devils' last 20 points, including the free throw that gave them a 76-75 victory.
"He's what great players are," Floyd said. "He has the most efficient offensive game that I've seen in college basketball since Paul Pierce. He's not a high-energy, high-activity guy as far as cuts and movement. But when he catches it, he's poised and efficient with a high skill level, creating that first step."
The next step is the question.
Harden was not ready to be one-and-done, but two-and-through may be the plan.
He has no interest in being a stay-in-school trendsetter but says, "When I leave, I want Arizona State to be a power. I want players like me coming here."
And maybe even staying a while.
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chris.foster@latimes.com
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
Take II
James Harden decided to come back for his sophomore season at Arizona State. His statistics:
*--* Rebounds Points G FG% 3P% FT% Tot. Avg. Asst St Tot. Avg. '07-08 34 52.7 40.7 75.4 179 5.3 3.2 2.1 605 17.8 '08-09 16 55.9 41.7 75.9 92 5.8 4.7 2.1 369 23.1 Career 50 53.8 41.1 75.6 271 5.4 3.7 2.1 974 19.5 *--*
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Tonight
USC VS.ARIZONA ST.
at Galen Center
7:30, 710 radio
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UCLA VS.ARIZONA
at Pauley Pavilion
8, Prime Ticket
