James Harden without his beard looks like a completely different person.
James Harden without beard shocks in 2005 high school throwback photo—clean-shaven and nearly unrecognizable.
Back then, Harden was just a teen showcasing his skills in front of NCAA and NBA scouts. He had not yet grown his signature facial hair that would become one of the most iconic looks in sports.
The picture highlights how far Harden has come—both in appearance and career.
Beardless Beginnings
The photo was taken years before his college career at Arizona State. According to Harden’s older brother, Akili Roberson, their family never paid much attention to facial hair. “We didn’t care about it. Our uncle or father didn’t wear beards,” Roberson said. “He didn’t have real facial hair until college.”
Even Harden’s high school coach Scott Pera joked, “I saw the first follicle,” confirming the beard hadn’t begun to form during his Artesia High days.
From Peach Fuzz to NBA Fame
After college, Harden was selected third overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. His beard, along with his basketball talent, grew with time.
In 2018, he was named NBA MVP. Eleven times, he was chosen as an All-Star.
A title has eluded him in spite of his laurels. Harden has asked for trades three times since 2021, first with the Rockets, then the Nets, and most recently with the 76ers. The Los Angeles Clippers are his current team.
A Look That Changed the Game
Harden once told The Athletic: “I wasn’t thinking about it. Most guys can’t grow facial hair. For me, it’s not hard.”
The beard became part of his identity. Today, it’s hard to imagine him without it.
But thanks to a few old snapshots, fans now know exactly what James Harden looked like before the beard—and before NBA stardom.
Source: irishstar
