James Harden Donates High Six-Figure Sum to ASU's NIL Collective

James Harden, the former Arizona State Sun Devils basketball star and current NBA player, made a high six-figure donation to the Sun Angel Collective, which supports name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes. Harden emphasized the importance of NIL in college sports, stating that it helps schools attract talent and compensate players for their performance. His contribution was pivotal in securing five-star recruit Jayden Quaintance, who chose ASU over other top programs. Despite these efforts, ASU's basketball team is struggling this season with a 13-14 record, raising questions about the effectiveness of recent investments. Harden remains optimistic about the program's potential, expressing his ongoing support and frequent communication with head coach Bobby Hurley. The future of the program may hinge on significant changes following the season, especially given the competitive landscape of the Big 12 conference.