Recruitment and Early Visits
As a three-star prep in the 2020 class who initially headed to the Tulane Green Wave for four seasons, James shared his thoughts about the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. "They recruited me a little bit just because I was one of the in-state guys. I went to a few football games, basketball games here and there [as a recruit], but nothing too crazy," he said. It's clear that Georgia Tech had an eye on him during his recruitment days.These early visits gave him a taste of the atmosphere at Georgia Tech. He got to experience the energy of the games and the sense of community. Even though it wasn't a major focus at the time, these visits laid the foundation for his future connections with the school.
James' brother, Jehloni James, also played a significant role. He was on the Georgia Tech team as a walk-on from 2019 through his junior year. So, during the summers, Sion would go back home, work out with his brother, and spend time in the gym playing. This made playing back in Midtown a special experience for him.
Current Role on the Duke Team
Sion James has drawn a start over Caleb Foster in each of the Blue Devils' past four games. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 220 pounds, he is a force to be reckoned with. As a one-year Duke basketball player under third-year head coach Jon Scheyer, he is now averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals.His performance on the court has been impressive, and he has become an integral part of the Duke team. His ability to contribute in multiple aspects of the game has made him a valuable asset.
With the upcoming game against Georgia Tech, James is looking forward to showcasing his skills and continuing to make his mark on the basketball court. Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news as they prepare for this important matchup.