AKRON, Ohio – James Harden has heard the whispers about how NBA folks think both he and Blake Griffin are insane for leaving guaranteed contracts and potential lottery pick money on the table to return to school.

But Harden still knows he has plenty of work to do before he can come into the league and make an impact.

Also, he kind of likes this college thing.

``You only live once and get a chance to experience college,” Harden said. “Plus, I feel like I needed to get better. I’m hoping I can have a great sophomore year and we can make the NCAA tournament.”

Harden is working on his mid-range game, his right hand and his endurance.

What people tend to forget is that Harden is still only 18 years old.

``I’m still a child,” he laughed.

Harden said even after he made an announcement during the Pac-10 tournament that he would be coming back to school for his sophomore season, there were still some doubts in his mind at times.

``I'm not going to lie to you," Harden said. "But I know I made the right decision to come back to school."

HARDEN AMONG 24 COLLEGE PLAYERS CAMPING

Here is the complete list of the college players at the LeBron James Skills Academy.

These guys go through drills with instructors from 12-2 p.m. and then play pick-up at night (LeBron James and Chris Paul are expected to play again tonight).

Patrick Beverly, Arkansas
Derrick Brown, Xavier
Patrick Christopher, Cal
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Austin Daye, Gonzaga
Demar DeRozan, USC
Al Fisher, Kent State
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
James Harden, Arizona State
Manny Harris, Michigan
Curtis Jerrells, Baylor
Jerome Jordan, Tulsa
Kalin Lucas, Michigan State
Jack McClinton, Miami
Deshawn Sims, Michigan
Kyle Singler, Duke
Tyler Smith, Tennessee
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
Ryan Thompson, Rider
Jarvis Varnado, Mississippi State
Terrence Williams, Louisville
Sam Young, Pittsbugh

CURRY THRIVING AT POINT

With the departure of Jason Richards from Davidson, Stephen Curry will slide over and play point guard this year at Davidson.

Curry will prove he’s one of the top floor leaders in the country. He’s going up against some of the top point guards here in Akron and has displayed terrific court vision and the ability to run a team – as well as knock down shots.

The area of concern for Curry could be wearing down at the end of games because of the added responsibilities in running the team.

HARRISON’S EMERGENCE

One of the more intriguing stories to come out of the LeBron Camp is that of Harrison Barnes.

Barnes is a smooth, athletic wing from Ames, Iowa. Both of his parents attended Iowa State and he lives in close enough proximity to the campus that he can actually walk it.

Barnes is a 3.4 student and is nearly as serious with the saxophone as he is with a basketball in his hands.

Barnes fared well at both the Nike Jamboree and the NBA Camp, so he hasn’t been surprised by his strong performance thus far in Akron.

Prior to the spring, he held offers from Iowa State, Iowa and Indiana State. Now he’s added offers from Texas, Kansas, Indiana, Maryland and others.

RANDOM NOTES: Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn has been nothing short of terrific in the pick-up games and even the drills. In fact, NBA star Chris Paul singled Flynn out when I asked him who was the most impressive on Monday night. … Lance Stephenson and Wesley Witherspoon (Memphis) were the two final cuts from the U18 National Team. ... Armon Bassett has decided to transfer from Indiana to UAB. ... National Christian’s Dontae Taylor has established himself as one of the camp’s most talented big men. The 6-foot-9, 225-pounder rattled off a list too lengthy to print. What I didn’t realize is that he hails from White Plains, N.Y. and left for National Christian after the ninth grade.