James Harden Laces the adidas Harden Vol. 9 ‘Sun Devils’ PE

James Harden has never shied away from paying homage to his roots. During a recent matchup against the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Clippers scorer laced up his adidas Harden Vol. 9 in a Player Exclusive (PE) iteration inspired by his alma mater, Arizona State University.

This custom colourway channels the Sun Devils’ signature school colours with a metallic maroon exterior accented by distressed gold peeking through the Three Stripes branding. The black tongue and herringbone outsole add contrast, while the finishing touch – Arizona State’s pitchfork logo on the tongue – solidifies its direct tribute to Harden’s college days.

This isn’t the first time adidas have crafted an ASU-themed sneaker for the 10-time NBA All-Star. Back in 2018, the brand released a general release ‘Arizona State’ colourway for the Harden Vol. 2, allowing fans to get their hands on the school-inspired design. However, in recent years, many of Harden’s collegiate tributes have remained exclusive to him, and it’s unclear whether this latest PE will ever see a retail release.

adidas are yet to confirm whether the Harden Vol. 9 ‘Sun Devils’ will be available to the public, though fans of the line can expect more Harden Vol. 9 drops throughout the year. Currently, the standard model retails for $160 and can be found at adidas stores and select retailers.

For more on adidas Hoops, make sure to check out our first look at Anthony Edwards’s AE 2.