Tucson's Empire High School's 6-foot-8, 210-pound senior forward Deion James is coming off a strong junior season for himself, and is looking to build on last year's success this season - his final season of his high school career. In preparation for his senior season, James is coming off a solid spring and summer where he gained valuable experience against stiff competition on the club circuit.
While this fall will be a busy recruiting period for some top-rated prospects in the West, and, for several 2015 prospects in Arizona, the fall will be a time of signing a national letter of intent with the respective schools of each athlete. For James, rather, the fall will be a time for receiving recruiting visits from division-I programs and preparing for the high school season, with his sights set on the spring for his college decision.
Last week, James received a visit to Tucson from an assistant coach from North Carolina A&T. Assistant coach J. Joyner came away very impressed with James' workout, and extended an offer to James, in hopes of landing the talented young senior prospect.
James is an attractive looking prospect to many college programs as a result of his nice size and skill level. While still developing a great deal, James emerged early in the state as a freshman, and then has continued his progress as a player throughout his high school career. This young man has excellent potential for the future, as he continues to mature physically and mentally. He is just beginning to realize how good he can become.
Currently, James is also receiving strong recruiting interest from such college programs as Tulsa, San Diego, San Jose State, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Texas-San Antonio, Grand Canyon, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Cal State Fullerton, Denver and Southern Utah. Waiting until the spring will allow each of these schools and others to evaluate his progress as a player. It will also allow James to take his time in the recruiting process.
While living in Tucson, Arizona and competing in the state’s Division-II Class, James has flourished. James poured in very strong numbers in his junior season – averaging 21.1 points and 12.6 rebounds per/game. In his sophomore season, he poured in 15.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3 assists per/game.
James is a talented and skilled wing prospect that has very good size and a nice overall skill level. He needs to embrace the four position much more in his play rather than fade to the wing. As he continues to play stronger in the low post, he will open up his overall game as a player. There aren’t many in the class that possess his combination of size and skill level. A very nice looking prospect in a 2015 class which lacks a lot of players like him.
I will continue to follow his college recruitment closely, and bring you any recruiting updates as they continue to develop.
