Sporting News named ASU sophomore guard James Harden to its preseason All-American first team.
North Carolina’s Tyler Hansborough, Davidson’s Stephen Curry, Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin and Gonzaga’s Austin Daye were also named to the team.
In 2007, Harden averaged 17.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while leading the Pac-10 Conference in steals (73). He shot 53 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three-point range.
He is also the lone first-team Pac-10 selection from last year to return. All four of the other players were picked in the first round of the NBA draft earlier this year.
Sporting News also ranked the Sun Devils’ squad No. 15 in the nation in its preseason poll. ASU has been ranked in the top 25 by the following publications: Blue Ribbon Yearbook (No. 15), Athlon (No. 16) and Rivals.com (No. 25).
ASU will start its season against Mississippi Valley State Nov. 14 at Wells Fargo Arena on Tempe campus.
