Pima Community College 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Deion Jameshas made his college decision - electing for a Mountain West Conference program.
On Tuesday afternoon, James announced that he has chosen to sign a nationa letter of intent with Colorado State University and head coach Larry Eustachy and his staff. James decided on Colorado State over offers from Washington State, Fresno State and Southern Utah. James visited each of the other schools before making his final decision.
James is coming off an excellent sophomore season for himself in the ACCAC - leading Pima to an ACCAC Division-II season title, their first Region-I, Division-II conference championship since 2010. The Aztecs beat Glendale Community College 119-111 in the semifinal round, and then upset #1 seeded Phoenix College 102-99 in the conference final.
For his efforts and performance this season, James was selected as the Tournament Most Valuable Player, and also as the 2017 ACCAC Co-Player of the Year.
James has improved a great deal over the past year, after heading the division-I route after high school. After a year in the division-I ranks, James developed a great deal as a player and saw his game progress nicely. As a result, James was regarded as the top overall college prospect in the ACCAC this junior college season, and has become one of the top juco prospects in the West.
This season James averaged 20.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per/contest - leading the conference in points and ranking second in rebounds in the ACCAC.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: James has really developed nicely since leaving the high school ranks, as he has added some size and has a much better overall motor now, which allows him to make plays at a high rate. James is an attractive looking prospect, as a result of his nice size and skill level. 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. Still very young, James is a talented and skilled 3/4 prospect that has very good size and a nice overall skill level. James plays similar to that of a young Boris Diaw (NBA - Utah Jazz), as he is a big forward prospect that loves to pass the basketball to the open man on the floor. He was the best passing forward in the conference this junior college season. Also a very good offensive rebounder that rebounds outside of his area. Runs the floor hard and like a wing. A good team defender, but he is foul prone. Needs to continue to improve lateral quickness defensively. A good overall athlete. A solid overall prospect that knows how to play the game.
