“One of the greatest of our time” NBA star’s heartfelt reunion with MSU shooting survivor leaves fans in awe

In a very heart-warming moment, NBA star James Harden has reunited with the Michigan State University student, John Hao, who was paralyzed in the tragic MSU campus shooting back in 2023. Harden first reached out to Hao, following the shooting incident, after learning he was a huge fan of the star. And over the years, their connection has turned into a lifelong and meaningful friendship.

John Hao is a 20-year-old international student from China, who was left paralyzed after being shot in the back on February 13, 2023, campus attack that killed three students and injured five others. When Harden heard about his tragic story and discovered Hao’s admiration for him, he immediately went over to meet him, FaceTimed him, and also encouraged him, donated money to him, along with sending gifts, including his sneakers.

James Harden shows friendship beyond basketball in emotional reunion with John Hao

James Harden first bonded with John Hao in 2023, when Harden invited Hao to an NBA playoff game in Philadelphia, once he was able to travel again. At game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Harden handed over his own signed sneakers to Hao, a core memory for Hao, which is worth remembering. Hao was courtside in his wheelchair, and they shared a very special moment together on the court. Harden scored 42 points in that game, making the whole experience an unforgettable one for Hao.

And James Harden has once again reunited with his old friend, John Hao, recently, as per a post by Bleacher Report shared on their Instagram page, on December 24, 2025. The Instagram post shared images and moments from their recent reunion, reflecting how Harden’s constant encouragement and motivation have meant so much to Hao, as he has been dealing with a lifetime of trauma.

Fans react as James Harden’s lifelong friendship with John Hao continues to inspire

The recent Bleacher Report post highlights how, over the years, James Harden and John Hao have maintained their friendship and remained close, despite Harden’s trade from Philadelphia to the Los Angeles Clippers. It shows that what started as just support for a fan has eventually turned into a lifelong friendship for years to come.

According to the post shared on Instagram, it was more than just photos, it was a celebration of love and years-long friendship. Fans and followers have responded to the news with warm wishes and appreciation for Hadren. One fan commented, “Yeah I’m definitely a James Harden fan now”. “W Harden”, a second fan commented. “Respect to Harden. That’s awesome”, a third fan wrote. While another one commented, “Harden is a real one”. While another one wrote, “James Harden really one of the greatest of our time”. “Respect Harden for keeping the promise, seems like a great guy”, one fan added. These reactions highlight how athletes can use their influence positively to have a lasting impact off the court and win their fans over.

Also Read: “Y'all 2 different" - James Harden fires playful shot at LeBron James and Kevin Durant as he storms into NBA’s top 10 All-Time scorers


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