KNOXVILLE – Josiah-Jordan James has always had the mentality to do whatever it takes to help his basketball team be successful.
He was a piece of the Porter-Gaud School puzzle for three seasons, helping the team win three consecutive South Carolina Independent School Association state titles and averaging 10.6 points and 6.6 assists per game as a junior. But after that season, the team lost eight seniors – including current Vanderbilt sophomore Aaron Nesmith – and the Cyclones needed James to do more on offense.
He responded by averaging 29.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.3 blocks and 4.9 assists per game on his way to South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
Now the 6-foot-6, 208-pound guard projects to fit into a Tennessee puzzle that will need him to make an early impact.
Matter of fact, the coaching staff expects him to.