Sion James, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard hailing from Sugar Hill, Georgia, has made the move to Duke University following a four-season tenure at Tulane. During his time at Tulane, he showcased his skills in 114 games, with 107 of those as a starter, averaging over 34 minutes per game. His impressive stats include 1,084 points (9.5 points per game), 520 rebounds (4.6 rebounds per game), 337 assists (3.0 assists per game), and 187 steals (1.6 steals per game).
Progressing steadily each season with Tulane, James notably achieved averages of 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in the 2023-24 season. He also exhibited his defensive prowess by blocking 23 shots and boasted solid shooting percentages of 51.4% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc.
Expressing excitement about James joining Duke, Coach Scheyer praised his leadership, basketball IQ, and game sense. Scheyer emphasized James’s impact on both ends of the court, highlighting his defensive versatility and playmaking ability. Additionally, Scheyer noted James’s contributions to Duke’s culture of competitiveness and winning attitude.
James’s standout performances include scoring 20 points in six games during the past season, notably achieving a 28-point double-double against North Texas in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament. Noteworthy moments from his tenure at Tulane include a 30-point game with seven steals against Memphis and setting a Tulane record for blocks in an AAC tournament game with six against Wichita State.
In recognition of his sportsmanship and leadership, James earned the AAC Sportsmanship Award twice, in 2023 and 2024, becoming the first player to achieve this honor twice. He also served as a two-time chair of the AAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Before his collegiate career at Tulane, James garnered attention as a three-star recruit from Lanier High School. He was honored as the Region 8A Player of the Year twice and led Lanier to consecutive regional titles, culminating in a state championship game appearance in 2020.