James Harden’s excited to give back to the city in his way

One of Travis Scott’s new songs blared over the loudspeaker at the University of Houston softball field while the rapper stood in the home dugout talking to another local rapper, Trae tha Truth. The two watched as Mayor Sylvester Turner threw out the first pitch. Gerald Green and P.J. Tucker warmed up in the outfield. A few moments later, Chris Paul squatted behind home plate while his teammate and the mastermind behind the gathering tossed a strike toward him. James Harden was all smiles while the celebrities around him got ready to play in a softball game for charity Saturday night.

The Rockets star and NBA MVP was in the midst of hosting his second annual JH-Town Weekend, which will end at 3 p.m. Sunday with a charity basketball game at Texas Southern.

When Harden signed an extension with the Rockets last summer, he said one of his goals was to put down roots in Houston. Part of that included giving back to his community.

“I hope this is going in the right direction,” Harden said. “Being able to have events like this in the community, to raise money and to have a good time with the people in Houston.”

Harden has found ways to make a big impact in the area.

A weekend full of events that help fund Harden’s scholarships are just part of it.

Step up for Harvey

Harden gave over $1 million to Harvey relief efforts last year. He and his family host Thanksgiving and Christmas events every year as well.

“I think about this more than anything,” he said. “I think about basketball, too, of course, but I think about how I can give back and what I can do all the time.”

His contributions are felt throughout Houston.

“We are so fortunate to have men like James Harden here,” Turner said. “He’s an amazing player, but he also represents our city and is a great role model.”

Turner said Harden and Paul joined him last week as he was pitching for the Democratic National Convention to come to Houston in 2020.

“They are great representatives of our city,” Turner said. “The way these guys give back to the city is special.”

Harden’s teammates are happy to join in and help.

“It’s great to have these guys out here with me,” Harden said. “We are all pretty competitive, too, so I think this will be a lot fun.”

Harden’s weekend with his teammates is a preview for what is to come next month when the Rockets start camp for their 2018-19 season.

They’ve added a piece in Carmelo Anthony and Harden thinks they’ll be better than the team that went to Game 7 of the Western Conference finals last season. Harden said he and his teammates spent a lot of time this offseason together.

“It’s been really good,” he said. “I think we are all really together and really ready for the season. Last year was amazing, but we have even bigger goals this year.”

He said the addition of Anthony will make them better.

“I think we have a lot of weapons and we have great chemistry,” he said. “It’s going to be good. I am excited about it.”

While he and the Rockets work toward advancing to the NBA Finals this season, Harden plans to keep working toward bettering his community.

When he committed to play in Houston for the foreseeable future (he signed an extension through 2022-23) he made it clear this city is home for him and his family. Harden and his mother Monja Willis plan to keep giving back as much as they can.

Turner appreciates efforts

Whether it’s through scholarships, Christmas shopping sprees, school supply drives or meeting kids, Harden hopes to make Houston a better place. Turner said he is.

“Since he’s been in Houston, he and his mother have been committed to charity,” Turner said. “We feel very fortunate to have a family like that in our city.”

The second annual JH-Town Weekend might be coming to a close, but it won’t be the last time the reigning MVP puts together a star studded affair.

“It’s pretty great in the second year,” he said. “I think it will get even bigger. I hope so. I want to keep doing whatever I can to help Houston.”