At Duke, James averaged 8.6 ppg, 4.2 boards and 2.9 assists. He shot 52.6 percent overall and 41.3 percent from behind the line. James also pulled down 2.9 apg and nearly a steal a game.

During his post-draft media availability, James was asked about charity work he's already done in the Charlotte community. His game and his mindset put him on the fast track to becoming a fan favorite in the Queen City, no matter the local's preferred college.

Duke’s Sion James (14) drives around Alabama’s Mark Sears (1) during the first half of Duke’s game against Alabama in their Elite 8 game in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., Saturday, March 29, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com