James Harden Gives Sneakers To Paralyzed MSU Shooting Victim & Invites Him Back For Game 6
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
On February 13, 2023, a mass shooting occurred on the campus of Michigan State University, in which three students were killed and five others injured.
20-year-old John Hao is one of the students who was severely injured, and had his life changed forever, as his injuries left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Hao is a huge fan of James Harden, and when Harden heard Hao’s story, he came through. The Sixers star spoke with Hao via video call, sent him game-worn shoes and donated to his go-fund-me, to cover for some of the medical bills.
Back in February, Harden handed out an invitation to Hao, to be his guest at a Sixers game, once he’s able to leave the hospital.
Since Hao has recovered enough to be able to attend a Sixers game, he was James Harden’s guest for yesterday’s Game 4. After his huge 42 point-performance, Harden invited Hao on the court, handing over his game-worn and signed sneakers and conducted his post-game interview in his socks, where Harden called Hao his “good luck charm.”
“[Hao is] my good luck charm…the tragedy like that that happened. It’s a lot of nonsense that’s going on in the world… I feel like it’s my job just to give him that light, that smile that he deserves, that he needs.”
Afterwards, Harden said he’ll have Hao back for Game 6, when the series returns to town, as he visited the family after the game.
“Game 6, he’s gotta come back. I don’t know what you got going on, what your schedule is. Game 6 you gotta be back here because you’re the good luck charm. For real. I just kept thinking about it.”
you heard the man. see you game 6, John. 🤝🥹 pic.twitter.com/FCxgdWswJs
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) May 8, 2023
