PHILADELPHIA — James Harden leaned in towards John Hao, a paralyzed Michigan State taking pictures survivor who developed a long-distance FaceTime bond with the Philadelphia 76ers star, and gave his new good friend a hug.
“You look good,” Harden informed Hao.
The 20-year-old Hao and his mother and father smiled because the Sixers star guard resumed his pregame routine Sunday forward of Recreation 4 of their Japanese Convention second-round collection towards the Boston Celtics. The household had been invited by Harden to attend a 76ers recreation as soon as Hao was in a position to journey.
Harden rewarded Hao with an unimaginable efficiency within the Sixers’ time beyond regulation win as he scored 42 factors to associate with 9 assists and eight rebounds. He additionally hit the tying shot in regulation and the eventual recreation winner in time beyond regulation.
“I had a particular visitor within the constructing,” Harden informed ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth after the sport. “… He simply gave me good luck, introduced me good vibes, good power. We knew this recreation was for him.”
Greater than basketball ?
James Harden offers John Hao his sneakers after hitting the game-winner in Recreation 4 ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/LODiFtII11
— ESPN (@espn) May 7, 2023
Hao, a world pupil from China, not too long ago left a Chicago rehabilitation facility the place he’d been since a February taking pictures on the East Lansing campus that killed three college students and injured 5 others.
Hao wore Harden’s No. 1 Sixers jersey and attended the sport together with his mother and father. Hao’s father additionally wore a Harden jersey and posed for footage because the 76ers warmed up behind him.
“He is sturdy, he is bouncing again, he is recovering very nicely,” Harden stated on Sunday. “I really feel prefer it’s my job to offer him that mild, that smile that he deserves. Hopefully right this moment was a kind of days the place he can smile.”
Harden discovered after the taking pictures that Hao was a fan of his and donated sneakers and cash after which known as the coed to supply encouragement.
Harden additionally saved his promise that Hao might attend a recreation. The household watched the sport from a membership field on the Wells Fargo Heart.
“Once I bought injured, he learn the information about that, he simply got here to offer us all of the assist we’d like,” Hao informed The Related Press. “I am so appreciative of that.”
Hao stated his spirits have been sturdy and he’s now a 76ers fan due to Harden.
“He taught me to maintain sturdy,” Hao stated.
The shootings at Michigan State occurred in February throughout night lessons at Berkey Corridor and close by on the MSU Union. College students throughout the huge campus have been ordered to shelter in place for 4 hours — “run, disguise, struggle” if obligatory — whereas police hunted for Anthony McRae, 43, who finally killed himself when confronted by police not removed from his house in Lansing.
Hao stated he does not know what’s subsequent for him and nonetheless wants extra remedy. Hao stated he was dedicated to graduating from Michigan State, although he may transfer again together with his mother and father to China.
“I hope to get again to my regular life and rehab as quickly as potential,” he stated.
The Related Press contributed to this story.