James Harden Biography: Stats, Net Worth, Age, Height, Wife, Parents, Kids, Contract, Beard

Biography

James Harden, born James Edward Harden Jr. on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, is a renowned American professional basketball player.

An NBA superstar known for his prolific scoring and playmaking. Nicknamed “The Beard,” he rose to fame with the Houston Rockets, earning the 2018 MVP award and multiple scoring titles.

A 10-time All-Star, Harden‘s signature step-back jumper and elite offensive skills have made him one of basketball’s most dynamic guards.

He’s played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and currently the Los Angeles Clippers, consistently ranking among the league’s top performers.

American basketball point guard
James Harden
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	James Edward Harden Jr.
Stage Name:	James Harden
Born:	26 August 1989 (age 36 years old)
Place of Birth:	Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Artesia High School, Arizona State University
Height:	1.96 m
Parents:	James Harden Sr., Monja Willis
Siblings:	Arnique Jelks, Akili Roberson
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Paige Speights (2024), Brittany Renner (2018), Ashanti (2016 – 2018), Malaysia Pargo (2016), Lesanik (2016 – 2018), Khloé Kardashian (2015 – 2016), Amber Rose (2015), Tahiry Jose (2013 – 2014), Sarah Bellew (2013 – 2015), Kyra Chaos (2013), Trina (2011 – 2012), Jessyka Janshel, Yung Miami (2020 – 2021), Yasmine Lopez (2019), Ashlee Monroe, Alexis Skyy (2016), Teanna Trump (2013), Sophie Brussaux (2012), Jenna Shea (2012), Maliah Michel (2010 – 2014), Nelly Wit Da Jelly (2015), Blac Chyna (2011)
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Basketball Player
Net Worth:	$165 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

James Edward Harden Jr. was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, to Monja Willis and James Harden Sr.

Raised primarily by his mother in the Compton area amid challenging circumstances, including neighbourhood violence, Harden was kept active in sports from a young age to stay out of trouble—he initially played baseball before discovering his passion for basketball around age 10, practicing on a garage hoop.

His father, a Navy veteran, was often absent due to military service and later incarcerations, leading to a distant relationship. Harden, of African-American ethnicity, is the youngest of three children; he has an older sister, Arnique Jelks and a half-brother, Akili Roberson, following a period where his mother endured multiple miscarriages after the birth of his sister.

A practicing Christian who has occasionally spoken about his faith, Harden attended Artesia High School in Lakewood, California, where he excelled in basketball, leading the team to consecutive state championships in his junior and senior years while averaging nearly 19 points per game.

He then pursued higher education at Arizona State University from 2007 to 2009, playing for the Sun Devils and earning accolades such as Pac-10 Player of the Year and consensus All-American honours in his sophomore season before entering the NBA draft.

Career

James Harden’s NBA career, which began in 2009, has been defined by elite scoring, creative playmaking, and a unique style of offense that reshaped the modern guard position.

Drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder out of Arizona State University, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most valuable sixth men, winning the 2012 Sixth Man of the Year award while helping Oklahoma City reach the NBA Finals. His career took a dramatic turn later that year when he was traded to the Houston Rockets, where he evolved into a perennial superstar.

During his nine seasons in Houston, Harden became the face of the franchise, leading the league in scoring for three straight years between 2018 and 2020, highlighted by a staggering 36.1 points-per-game average in 2019.

He captured the 2018 NBA MVP award and transformed the Rockets into consistent contenders, reaching the 2018 Western Conference Finals. Harden’s signature step-back three-pointer, crafty ball-handling, and ability to draw fouls made him one of the most difficult players to defend in NBA history.

In January 2021, Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, joining Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in a star-studded lineup. Although injuries limited their success, Harden showcased his versatility by averaging 24.6 points and 10.9 assists that season.

By February 2022, he was on the move again, this time to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he remained an elite playmaker and led the NBA in assists during the 2022–23 campaign.

In November 2023, Harden joined the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with former Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook and continuing to contribute as a top offensive option, averaging around 20 points and 8 assists per game through the 2024–25 season.

Over the course of his career, Harden has become a 10-time NBA All-Star, three-time scoring champion, and an NBA assist leader, amassing more than 25,000 points, 7,000 assists, and 5,500 rebounds in over 1,000 games.

While a championship has eluded him, his individual accolades and consistent production have secured his legacy as one of the greatest offensive players of his generation. Beyond the court, Harden is a global sports icon, known for his signature Adidas sneaker line, lucrative endorsements, and his instantly recognizable beard.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: James Harden
• Instagram: James Harden (@jharden13)
• Facebook: James Harden
• Twitter: James Harden (@JHarden13) / X

Personal Life

James Edward Harden Jr., born on August 26, 1989, is 36 years old. Standing at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters), his height has been a significant asset in his NBA career as a dynamic guard.

He has never been married and has no wife or record of marriages. While Harden has no publicly confirmed biological children, he and his current girlfriend, Paije Speights, are expecting a child together as of September 2025.

Paije, who has a son from a prior relationship with former NBA player Mario Chalmers, began dating Harden in 2024, and their relationship has been marked by public gestures like Harden gifting her a Range Rover.

Harden’s current relationship with Paije Speights began in 2024, and they are expecting a child together, with public moments like the Range Rover gift highlighting their bond. Before Paije, he was in a long-term relationship with Jessyka Janshel, which he kept relatively private despite his fame.

In 2018, he dated fitness influencer Brittany Renner for about four months, with few details shared publicly. From 2016 to 2018, he was linked to singer Ashanti, seen together publicly but never officially confirmed.

In 2016, he briefly dated reality TV star Malaysia Pargo, for whom limited information is available. Between 2016 and 2018, he was also involved with model Lesanik in a low-key relationship that received occasional media coverage.

His highly publicized romance with reality star Khloé Kardashian from 2015 to 2016 lasted eight months, which Harden later described as challenging due to intense media scrutiny. In early 2015, he was briefly linked to model Amber Rose, with little detail beyond public sightings.

From 2013 to 2014, he dated model and reality star Tahiry Jose, with occasional media mentions. Between 2013 and 2015, he was in a two-year relationship with model Sarah Bellew, largely kept out of the spotlight.

In 2013, he briefly dated model Kyra Chaos, with minimal public information. One of his earliest high-profile relationships was with rapper Trina from 2011 to 2012, lasting about a year.

Harden has also had reported encounters, including with rapper Yung Miami between 2020 and 2021, though details are sparse. In 2019, he was linked to influencer Yasmine Lopez for a short period, with little public confirmation.

He reportedly had a brief encounter with model Ashlee Monroe, though details and timing remain unclear. In 2016, he was linked to reality star Alexis Skyy, with minimal documented details. In 2013, he had a reported encounter with adult film star Teanna Trump.

In 2012, he was linked to artist and model Sophie Brussaux, before her later fame. That same year, he had a brief encounter with model Jenna Shea, with limited public information.

From 2010 to 2014, he was associated with model Maliah Michel, one of his longest connections. Rumoured hookups include a brief link with influencer Nelly Wit Da Jelly in 2015 and with model Blac Chyna in 2011, both unconfirmed by Harden.

Net Worth

James Harden‘s net worth is estimated at $165 million, amassed through NBA contracts, endorsements, and investments.

He signed a two-year, $70 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2024, with an annual salary of $35 million, and has earned over $338 million in career salaries.

A 13-year, $200 million Adidas deal from 2015 brings in about $15 million annually, complemented by endorsements with brands like Art of Sport and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Investments include a stake in the Houston Dynamo and a payout from Bodyarmor’s 2021 sale to Coca-Cola. His wealth also supported ventures like his now-closed Houston restaurant, Thirteen, despite its $2.2 million unpaid rent issue.