The Duke Blue Devils have strengthened their lineup by winning the commitment of veteran guard Sion James, a move that will considerably improve their championship chances. James, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard from Sugar Hill, Georgia, provides extensive experience and flexibility to the club.
Prior to entering Duke, James spent four years at Tulane University, where he appeared in 114 games and started 107. Throughout his college career, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. In his senior season, he improved his performance by averaging 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 51.4% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc. Notably, he had six 20-point games in 2023-24, including an impressive 28-point, 10-rebound double-double against North Texas in the American Athletic Conference tournament.
James decided to move to Duke because he wanted to compete at the top level and seek an NBA career. His leadership abilities were obvious during his tenure at Tulane, when he chaired the AAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and received the AAC Sportsmanship Award twice. His dedication to community service was also honored with the Freeman School of Business Dean’s Service Award and the Newcomb-Tulane College Student-Athlete Award.
James has had a significant influence at Duke. In his first two games, he scored in double figures off the bench. He had a game-high +44 in a win against Army West Point and a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds against Virginia Tech. His versatility was further proven with a season-high eight assists against SMU and three blocked shots against Miami.
James’ return to the Blue Devils’ roster adds a seasoned and dynamic presence, increasing the team’s depth and competitiveness as they pursue a national title.
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