Cincinnati Bearcats basketball guard Jizzle James returns to Wes Miller for another year
He made it official Tuesday.
Edgerrin James Jr., the Cincinnati Bearcats basketball guard known as "Jizzle" will return to Coach Wes Miller's squad.
"Everything's falling in line," Jizzle James said. "I had some unfinished business I want to do at the college level."
James made his announcement around the same time Bradley's Connor Hickman and USC's Arrinten Page move from the portal to becoming Cincinnati Bearcats. He joins starters Day Day Thomas, Dan Skillings Jr., Simas Lukošius and possibly Aziz Bandaogo (testing NBA waters) in returning to Wes Miller.
"I think it's only going to get better, helping this program moving forward reaching the goals we have this next upcoming year," James said.
His reasons for staying at Cincinnati are largely based on Coach Wes Miller.
"Wes is all about the process and the culture of me becoming an NBA player," James said. "I think this is the best fit and the best direction to stay this following year. I think it's best for me and my development going forward."
As for sharing the backcourt with speedster Day Day Thomas, whose broken foot allowed James to start at the end of the season, James called it a "sneak peak" of what's to come.
"I can't wait to put it on display from the start next year," James said.
The son of NFL Hall of Famer, Edgerrin James was the only Bearcat to appear in all 37 games in this past season's 22-15 campaign. He started the last two games when teammate Day Day Thomas suffered a broken foot.
In those two NIT starts, he tallied a season-high 25 points against Bradley, then 21 in the season-ending loss at Indiana State in the quarterfinal.
His 8.8 points per game scoring average was the best by a Bearcats freshman since Jacob Evans averaged 13.8 per game in 2014-15 for Mick Cronin's Bearcats. James also put up 19 points in his first Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout vs. Xavier at Cintas Center.
James shot 43% from the field and 78% from the line. His 76 assists were third on the team behind Thomas and Simas Lukošius. With this announcement, the Bearcats return James, Thomas, Lukošius, Dan Skillings Jr. and possibly Aziz Bandaogo with starting experience. Bandaogo has indicated his return but will listen to NBA advice.
UC associate head coach Chad Dollar spent some time with Edgerrin James at the end of the season fishing in Miami. For a second straight season, UC has reeled in quite the catch.
Coming out of high school, Wes Miller's crew beat out Florida and Georgia for the services of Jizzle James. In the end, relationships matter.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wes Miller retains Cincinnati Bearcats basketball guard Jizzle James
