By Craig Morgan, thesundevils.com Writer

GILBERT, Ariz. -- Byron Scott has the NBA championship rings and Fat Lever has that unforgettable name, but there isn't a more accomplished Sun Devils basketball alumnus than James Harden.

The Houston Rockets All-Star guard was back in the Valley this weekend for the James Harden Basketball ProCamp at the Inspire Courts in Gilbert. Harden and a collection of college and high school coaches were there to instruct 250 kids, grades 1-12, on the fundamentals of basketball.

Harden was also there to say thanks for that two-year experience in Tempe.

"This past year was my third year (doing the camp) and this is my first time in Arizona," said Harden, who also sponsors the camp in Houston. "I haven't really had an opportunity to do anything (in Arizona) since I've been out of school so this is kind of the first step to where I've got a camp going and some more things are going to happen in Arizona."

Harden still keeps in touch with some Sun Devil Athletics staff members and former teammates, but since being drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009 after his sophomore season at ASU, he hasn't had enough time to say thanks to a school and community that helped him become one of the NBA's premier players.

"I went from a boy to a man; college really matured me," he said. "As soon as I stepped on campus, they did an unbelievable job of helping -- the coaching staff, my teammates, everyone on that campus, so I knew something great was going to happen as I long as I worked hard and stayed focused.

"It's always great to come back and give back and make sure the community knows that I really respect it."

After the 2012 season in which he helped lead the Thunder to the NBA Finals, Harden was traded to Houston. Last season, he led the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals and finished second in MVP voting to Golden State's Stephen Curry.

"It was a really good season," Harden said. "Obviously, I want to win a championship but we put ourselves in a position to where guys know what it takes to get there.

"We had a couple key pieces that we picked up for this year that are really going to help us. Myself, I've just been trying to work and get better, be in the gym and be ready for next year."

Following the camp on Saturday, Harden gave a couple dozen kids a chance to go one-on-one with him. He allowed a few to score uncontested shots; he also swatted a few other shots into the crowd.

"I'm out here working as hard as them," he said, smiling. "I'm out here sweating and having fun. It's just giving back and making sure they really have a good time for these two days they're here."

Harden said it humbles him to see all the adulation he receives from the basketball community, particularly for that epic beard he still sports.

"That's why I go the extra mile; the extra effort to come out and make sure they really have a good time," he said. "I'm just trying to be more involved in this community because this community really raised me. It humbles me like I said. Where I come from and the way I'm kind of motivated, I appreciate all the love and support."