James Harden News

Derek Glasser was unsure how to handle the attention. While he and James Harden were teammates at Artesia High and then at Arizona State, all Glasser had to do was set up his good friend with the ball.

UCLA coach Ben Howland was just finishing up lunch, listing all the recent players he's lost to the NBA when California coach Mike Montgomery leaned in.

Rihards Kuksiks shot 44.3 percent from 3-point range last season, eighth nationally among those who qualify.

Two weeks ago, Trent Lockett learned from a conversation with his mother that it was snowing back home in Minnesota.

When the Thunder gathers as a team this morning and turns on the film from Monday night's game against Houston, Thabo Sefolosha , and James Harden should perk up and pay close attention.

Arizona State junior guard Ty Abbott had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will be out at least a month.

Life without James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph starts now for ASU men's basketball team.

Arizona State went 8-22 and lost a school-record 15 straight games in point guard Derek Glasser's freshman year.

The Pac-10 has as many NCAA Tournament-worthy teams on paper in the preseason as the Atlantic-10.A California and Washington are bound for the tournament, and UCLA has lots of young talent but is no sure bet to go dancing.

"He has the type of ability he could run away with Rookie of the Year, depending on what that guy in LA does," Livingston said.

The first quote was typical and anticipated. "I don't have any great need to compare," Herb Sendek said.

If you like what you read here, check out my blog Ballin' is a Habit . During the 2007-2008 season, the Pac-10 was arguably the nation's best conference.

Keala King plays high school basketball in Southern California. He stands 6-foot-5. Last but not least, he is left-handed. Sounds a lot like James Harden, doesn't it? The ASU coaching staff knew entering this offseason that Harden's past would help build the Sun Devils' future.

Keala King , the No. 1 ranked prospect in California and No. 25 recruit overall in the national 2010 class, gave Arizona State coach Herb Sendek a verbal commitment during an in-home visit with the school Wednesday, ASUDevils.com has learned.

I won't be the only one who asks Arizona State coach Herb Sendek how he'll deal with trying to fill the void left by the loss of star James Harden - the No.

Yes, a lot of the big names pulled out of Sunday's Alumni Classic at US Airways Center, but it was still fun talking hoops with the old-timers. Players from both ASU and the University of Arizona said they feel good about the state of their programs.

Want to know who's heating up for a big season on the hardwood? Insider is tapping into John Hollinger's projected player efficiency ratings to see who's trending up and down across the NBA.

Blake Griffin: No. 1 pick in the draft. Most Outstanding Player of Summer League.

Over the next couple of weeks, we'll roll out our predictions for the 2009-10 season's Best Newcomers, Worst Newcomers, MVP, conference champions and NBA champs.

Yes, its early. Months away from having actual games to watch, my mind begins to wander.