Tag: John Hao

Sixers’ James Harden discusses having Michigan State victim at Game 4

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden discusses hosting Michigan State shooting victim John Hao in the Game 4 win.

PHILADELPHIA — In February, students on the campus of Michigan State University were victims of a mass shooting. Three people died and five were injured.

One of those injured was John Hao, who left a big mark on the life of James Harden. Members of Harden’s team made the trip to Michigan and put Hao on FaceTime with Harden, and the future Hall of Famer did his part to make sure he makes a positive impact in Hao’s life.

On Sunday, Harden had Hao and his family as guests for Game 4. The Beard put on a show for him; he had 42 points on 16-for-23 shooting to lift Philadelphia to a 116-115 overtime win over the Boston Celtics.

“He’s my good luck charm,” Harden said of Hao. “I’ve been keeping in contact with him. Obviously, any of us in here, for a tragedy like that to happen, it’s a lot of nonsense going on in the world. For him to be a victim of that is heartbreaking, but he’s strong, he’s bouncing back, and he’s recovering real well.”

Hao has been through a lot, and Harden wants to be a positive light to give him something to smile about.

“I feel like it’s my job to just give him that light, that smile that he deserves and he needs,” Harden finished. “Hopefully, today is one of those days that he’s smiling and that’s all I’m here for.”

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James Harden showed incredible kindness to this Michigan State student who was wounded in the shooting on campus

This is the sort of thing the world needs more of.

Mass shootings are absolute tragedies. Some of the worst tragedies we see in this country. They’re happening far too often at this point — there have been 71 total nationwide in 2023, per the Detroit Free Press.

One of the latest happened just a couple of weeks ago at Michigan State University, in which three people were killed and five were wounded.

One of the students who was injured in the shooting was John Gao. He survived the shooting but was tragically paralyzed from the chest down. He’s still currently hospitalized.

As it turns out, Hao is a huge fan of James Harden. The 76ers guard learned of his story and decided he wanted to try and help. So, in an incredible gesture of kindness, he FaceTimed Hao in his hospital bed, sent him gifts and contributed to a GoFundMe for Hao’s recovery.

He gave the student words of encouragement on his road to recovery.

“I love when you’re smiling. I love when you’re smiling, all right? I’m with you. I know it’s tough right now, but you have to stay physically strong, you know what I mean? You just got to think positive things and keep pushing and fighting. I got you. I got some guys for you, too. I got some things coming your way, hopefully give you some encouragement and make you smile a little bit, you know what I mean? Let me know if you need anything else.”

This is such an awesome gesture from Harden. In a situation where it is truly difficult to find any semblance of light, the 76ers guard brought a little bit to the table.

Obviously, this isn’t going to undo the situation or reverse things. But, hopefully, it gives Hao a bit of encouragement and helps him on his road to recovery — however long that may be.

Shoutout to James Harden, man. This is an MVP move.

Sixers’ James Harden explains why he helped Michigan State student

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden explains why he stepped up and helped Michigan State student, John Hao.

PHILADELPHIA — After a Feb. 13 mass shooting at Michigan State University killed three people and left five others injured, student John Hao is recovering from his wounds in Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan.

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden wanted to make a difference when he found out that Hao is a big Harden fan.

People from Harden’s team made the trip to Michigan to visit Hao, and they gave him some game-worn shoes, some encouragement and they put him on FaceTime with Harden. The Beard hopped on the call to let Hao know that everything is going to be OK and that he is strong enough to recover from this.

“There’s things like that that make you sit back and think about just real life and things bigger than basketball,” said Harden on Thursday. “I heard that he was a fan of mine, so I wanted to get up on that ASAP and see if there was anything I could do.”

Harden wanted to make sure Hao, who is paralyzed per his GoFundMe page, received some time with him and he wanted to make a difference in his life and his recovery.

“A couple of people from my team flew out there, they were actually in the hospital with him, brought him some things to actually cheer him up, make him smile, put me on FaceTime with him,” Harden added. “He’s actually doing a little bit better so the more I can just encourage and just rub off this energy that I have and give him the hope, I feel like that’s what I’m here.”

“That’s what I have this platform for so hopefully, he can recover and bounce back out of that sooner than later,” Harden finished. “I gave him my number so whenever he feels like he needs anything, he can call me to check up.”

This is a very admirable and terrific move by Harden. As he mentioned, this is bigger than basketball and any time somebody can step up and help others, it is something more people should be doing in a time of need.

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