Graduate guard consistently impressed this season with his strong play on both ends of the court at Duke.
Appearing on “The Brotherhood Podcast” , he reflected on his one year with the program, saying, “It was honestly better than I ever could have imagined. I’ve improved so much… I had the best time of my life, and I’d choose to do it again without hesitation.”
When asked how he plans to present himself to NBA teams during pre-draft interviews,he kept his answer straightforward: “I’m simply a winner. Someone who focuses on the right things… someone who helps showcase others and brings out the best in his teammates. Obviously, I can shoot and pass, but that’s the main message I want teams to hear.”
James joined Duke in May 2024 after spending four seasons at Tulane in New Orleans.
Across 39 games, including 32 starts, he posted averages of 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, while shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc and serving as a key piece of Duke’s perimeter defense. His efforts earned him a place on the 2025 ACC All-Defensive Team.
During the 2023-24 season at Tulane, James recorded career-best averages of 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while also contributing 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and shooting 38.1% from three-point range.
During the 2024-25 season with the Blue Devils, James scored a season-high 16 points on two occasions — once in a March matchup against rival North Carolina and again in the East Region final of the NCAA Tournament against Arizona.
His experience provided crucial stability to Duke’s young backcourt, helping lead the team to its first Final Four appearance since 2022.
Now, James is gearing up for the 2025 NBA Draft, where ESPN’s latest mock projects him as a late second-round selection.