NBA Star James Harden Donates, FaceTimes With MSU Student Paralyzed In Shooting

On February 13, Michigan State University student John Hao's life was forever changed. He was one of the students shot on campus and is now paralyzed from the waist down. When NBA star James Harden heard Hao's story, he stepped in to help in a few different ways.

Hao, a huge fan of Harden's, got the surprise of some sneakers, one pair was game-worn by Harden, a contribution to the GoFundMe that was set up for Hao's medical expenses, and a FaceTime call from Harden with some encouraging words.

"Everything will work itself out, be strong. You're alright. I promise you are," Harden said on the FaceTime call.

"Yeah, for sure. I love when you're smiling too. I love when you're smiling, alright? I'm with you. I know it's tough right now but you have to stay physically strong you know what I mean? You just gotta think positive things and keep pushing and keep fighting. I got you. I got some gifts for you, too. I got some things coming your way, hopefully give you some encouragement and make you smile a little bit, you know what I mean? Let me know if you need anything else. Got you."

Malika Andrews, host of NBA Today on ESPN reported the story and shared it on Twitter. She said that Harden told her he "wanted to brighten John's day, even if it was just for one minute." Harden gave Hao his phone number so they can FaceTime again soon, and he hopes to get Hao to one of his NBA games in the future.

On February 13, a shooter killed three MSU students and critically injured five others, including Hao. Hao's roommate, Argent Qian, set up a GoFundMe page in the hopes of raising their goal of $230,000 to help with medical expenses. They have since exceeded their goal raising more than $352,000 in just five days. On the GoFundMe page, Qian told Hao's story.

"I come to you with a heavy heart to share a story about a beloved Global Spartan, my roommate John Hao. John, a twenty-year-old international student from China, was shot in the back and critically injured during the mass shooting on the Michigan State University campus on February 13," he wrote.

"As his close friend and roommate for the past three years, I have seen firsthand the impact of this tragedy on his life and that of his family. His parents from China are mentally crushed and traveled to Michigan to see him without being able to speak English."

Qian further explained the extent of Hao's injuries. "The bullet severed John's spinal (t7-t8) and critically injured his lungs, leaving his paralyzed from the chest down. As he remains stabilized in the ICU with a breathing tube inserted in his lung, his family is facing significant financial burdens," he wrote.

"Due to Covid, they are already in a large amount of debt, and John's critical injuries are adding to the pressure on the family, leaving their parents not only to pay the debt in the future but also need to take care of John without having any income, since they are in the US without speaking any English."

An update made to the page on Thursday said that Hao's condition is improving. "John’s condition is improving and he was recently moved from critical condition to serious, but stable condition. As every day passes, his future needs are becoming more clear. The cost of John’s future will be high."