Adidas recently surprised long-time brand ambassador James Harden with a basketball court featuring a giant mural of him in Guangzhou, China.
Harden began his career with Nike, but in 2015, he signed a 13-year deal with Adidas for $200 million. The sponsorship has been a win for both sides as Harden has continued his stardom in the league. The Clippers guard has said he would like to sign a lifetime deal with the brand once his current contract is up in 2028.
The basketball star has been on a tour of Asia, meeting fans and signing autographs. The new court was a surprise for him and he was clearly touched. The beard took to social media, writing:
"You guys never cease to amaze me, every time feels like the first time. I just hope you know the love is reciprocated. Let’s enjoy the rest of this trip!"
Harden began this offseason as a free agent, but quickly agreed to resign with the Clippers on a two-year $81.5 million contract extension.
Now in his mid 30s, the Beard has continued to be a force in the NBA. He's also found a home in Los Angeles, after bouncing around from the Brooklyn Nets to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Last season, Harden averaged 22.8 points per game to go along with 7.2 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was also named to his first All-Star game since 2022, the 11th time he's been so honored. Harden now ranks 11th all-time on the NBA's scoring list and will have the chance to enter the top ten during the 2025-26 season.