Delroy James

James only started playing basketball whilst in his sophomore high school year, he left Brooklyn that same year, moving to National Christian Academy (Fort Washington, Maryland). For his junior year he moved to Florida Prep (Lake Suzy, Florida) before again transferring the same year, to Laurinburg Institute. He stayed at Laurinburg for his senior season as they accrued a 24–1 record in 2004–05.[3]

During high school he also played in the AAU for New York City sides Aneesa Sports,[4] and the Student-Athlete Broncos,[5]

James was ranked a three star player by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, respectively seen as the 30th and 35th best in his position nationally for 2005.[6][7] He committed to Rhode Island, playing in the Atlantic 10 Conference of the NCAA Division I, in August 2005, signing a letter of intent in November,[5] over other scholarship offers.[8]

However, after NCAA Initial-Eligibility issues, he had to sit out the entire 2006–07 season.[9] Later he "violated a team academic rule" according to coach Jim Baron, leading to him also missing the first semester of the 2007–08 season.[10] Making his belated debut in the first game of the second semester in December 2007, he had little impact in his freshman season, playing less than 10 minutes on average (3.3 points, 2.4 rebounds) though he had some more notable games.[3]

He came to the fore during his first full season the next year as a sophomore. Playing nearly 25 minutes per game, he averaged 9.9 points and 6.1 rebounds (12th in the Atlantic 10), being awarded as A-10 Sixth Man of the Year.[3]

During his junior season, he started all games, was second best for Rhode Island in scoring (13.2 ppg), rebounding (5.3 rpg) and steals (1.4 spg) and best in blocks (1.2 bpg), on his way to a selection in the All-Atlantic 10 Third Team and NABC All-District 4 Second Team. His performances in the 2010 National Invitation Tournament led to a selection to the All-Tournament Team as the Rams made the semi-finals.[3] These included a career high 34 points against Nevada, a game in which he was credited for restricting Luke Babbitt, the eighth-leading scorer in the nation at the time with 22.1 points per game, to two field goals made (out of fourteen attempted) for 14 points.[11]

In 2010–11, the senior led the Rams in scoring (17.6, 5th in A-10), rebounding (7.8, 6th), steals (1.6, 6th) and blocks, he was only player in the country averaging at least 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, leading to a selection to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team,[12] also making the 2011 NABC All-District 4 Second Team and USBWA All-District 1 Team.[13] He scored the first triple-double in Rhode Island history against Miami (Ohio) in the 2011 College Basketball Invitational during his penultimate college game,[12] finishing his Rams career after a loss in the quarterfinals.

As of 2014, he was 16th on the URI career scoring list (1,460 points), 8th in career blocks (104), steals (146) and games played (123) and 6th in minutes (1,160).[14]

In the summer of 2017, James, for the second year, competed in The Basketball Tournament on ESPN for Team Fancy. In three games, he averaged 14.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists to help lead his team to the Super 16 Round where they lost 65–61 to Boeheim's Army; a team composed of Syracuse University basketball alum. James also competed in TBT in 2015 for the Sean Bell All-Star's. In four games that summer, he averaged 9.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. In TBT 2018, James averaged 10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game for Team Fancy. They reached the second round before falling to Boeheim's Army. name[47]

James is a versatile left-handed combo forward. A hustle player, he does the little things that help his team with a physical and high-energy style.[48][49]

In attack, he starts from the perimeter, working off the dribble or moving without the ball to set up a scoring opportunity. He is deceptively fast and can burst past defenders, using shot fakes and step throughs on the way, though he can lose control of his run and the ball or try low percentage shots. His size and strength allow him to muscle his way to the hoop, shielding the ball with ease, he can finish even through contact. With a good mid-range jump shot,[50] he's hard to guard due to his size, adding his play in the paint it makes him an all-around scoring threat when in form.[48][49][51]

He shines more in defense, where his hustle play and non-stop effort allow him to make an impact, most notably in rebounding on a statistical front. His physical attributes allow him to guard anyone, from point guard to power forward,[15] though he has been noted to struggle against perimeter players.[50] Never afraid to mix it up he uses his athleticism to keep his man off-balance.[48][49]

Observers feel that for him to play in the NBA, as a 3, he needs to consistently and confidently make shots from the three point line,[48][50][51] getting his shot off quicker and smoother.[15] Finishing college at 24, he was not foreseen at the time to change his playing style radically or develop exponentially,[15] though his work ethic was expected to ensure a long, sustained career.[49]

The son of Gordon and Marva James, Delroy has seven siblings, including three sisters and four brothers.[3] Three of his older brothers played basketball at a professional or collegiate level:

-Shawn James played with Serie A club EA7 Emporio Armani Milano.

-Gordon has played professionally in Japan and Latin America.

-Lex played for St. Francis without going professional.[52]

His parents moved to the United States from Guyana in 1990 along with four children. They left Delroy with two siblings whilst they made arrangements for them to join them, something that proved possible about 3 years later. Arriving in Brooklyn, New York aged 7, he struggled to adapt to a completely different environment. Though he skipped classes, he also avoided getting involved in the gangs that were rife in his neighbourghood.[8][22] He has a son, Jaylen, he cites fatherhood as one of his greatest accomplishments, another is graduating and a declared future goal of his would be to use his sociology degree to become a guidance counselor or mentor to children.[22]

• Greek Basketball Super Cup: (2020)

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