damion james

Poll: Who is the Big 12 MVP So Far?

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:35:07 -0800

Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Finalists

Press Release — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:17:22 -0800

2009-10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award

November 4, 2009 (Overland Park, KS) – Sixty NCAA men’s basketball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court were tabbed as candidates today for the 2009-10 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – classroom, character, community and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School™, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

This year’s candidate class includes 25 players on the preseason watch lists for the men’s and women’s John R. Wooden Award and eight men’s players who are candidates for the AT&T Naismith Trophy.

Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award™ winner for men’s basketball at the 2010 NCAA Men’s Final Four® in Indianapolis in April and for women’s basketball at the 2010 NCAA Women’s Final Four® in San Antonio in April.

Men’s Basketball Candidates

Name - Position - School

Matt Bouldin, Guard, Gonzaga University

Da'Sean Butler, Forward, West Virginia University

Devan Downey, Guard, University of South Carolina

Dodie Dunson, Guard, Bradley University

Jason Duty, Guard, Duquesne University

Patrick Foley, Guard, Columbia University

Marcus Ginyard, Guard, University of North Carolina

Marquis Hall, Guard, Lehigh University

Luke Harangody, Forward, University of Notre Dame

Damion James, Forward, University of Texas

Adam Koch, Forward, University of Northern Iowa

David Kool, Guard, Western Michigan University

Chris Kramer, Guard, Purdue University

Roman Martinez, Forward, University of New Mexico

Michael McConathy, Guard, Northwestern State University

Yves Mekongo, Forward, La Salle University

Raymar Morgan, Forward, Michigan State University

Matthew Mullery, Forward, Brown University

Hamady Ndiaye, Center, Rutgers University

Dexter Pittman, Center, University of Texas

Jared Quayle, Guard, Utah State University

Jerome Randle, Guard, University of California, Berkeley

Scottie Reynolds, Guard, Villanova University

Nate Rohnert, Guard/Forward, University of Denver

Jon Scheyer, Guard, Duke University

DeShawn Sims, Forward, University of Michigan

Tyler Smith, Guard/Forward, University of Tennessee

J.T. Tiller, Guard, University of Missouri

Ben Uzoh, Guard, University of Tulsa

Josh Young, Guard, Drake University

Damion James Entering NBA Draft (w/o Agent)

Press Release — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:01:12 -0700

AUSTIN, Texas - University of Texas junior swingman Damion James will declare himself eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft but does not plan to hire an agent, he announced today. James ranks third in UT history in career rebounds (968), fourth in career double-doubles (37), seventh in career blocks (123) and 18th in career scoring (1,306 points) following his first three seasons in Austin.

"Ever since I started playing the game of basketball, I've dreamed of playing in the NBA," James said. "Now I have the chance to live out that dream. I really appreciate the full support of my family and the entire Texas coaching staff through this process. Once I finish up this semester strong academically, I'll have the opportunity to do workouts for different teams and see where I stand."

James earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team and the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) All-District 8 Second Team as a junior. He led the team in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and double-doubles (16) and ranked second in scoring (15.4 ppg). James also earned a spot on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team for the second straight season.

"Damion and I sat down and talked this decision through, and it's the right thing to do," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "I really appreciate Damion's loyalty to our program and the way he has handled this situation. He can get a feel for the system and receive the correct information directly from the NBA on where he stands."

In 108 career games (106 starts), James has averaged 12.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest. His 9.0 career rebounds per game average ranks fourth in school history.

The 2009 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Damion James: NBA Draft Profile

Jeff Fox — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:09:29 -0800

Damion James

College: Texas

Class: Junior

Position: SF

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 222lbs

Accolades: Second Team All-Big 12 (08), Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team (08), Second Team All-American - Parade - high school (06).

Scouting Report: An athletic power forward trapped in a small forward’s body.

Strengths: NBA-level athleticism. Very tough defender. Strong physique. Great leaper. Versatile - can play inside or out. Despite being undersized can really do damage in the paint. A double-double machine - terrific rebounder. Solid shot blocker and steals man. Has three-point range on his jumper. Experienced - played big minutes every year in college. Spent a lot of time learning the small forward position from Kevin Durant.

Weaknesses: Needs to prove he can play full-time on the wing - was more effective in college playing power forward than small forward. Needs to improve his ball handling. Three-point shot is inconsistent. Turns the ball over way too much. Stuck between positions in the NBA - he would be best in the post but is too small, and hasn’t proven to be a consistent on the wing. Doesn’t draw many fouls and is a mediocre free throw shooter.

Projected 2009 Draft Range: Top 10 to late first round pick.

Consensus: Damion James has the physical makeup to be a terrific NBA player. However, he has to improve on his small forward skills (ball handling, shot consistency, turnovers) to ensure himself a long career in the League.

Stats: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31581

NBA Draft on CollegeHoops.net

More 2009 NBA Draft Profiles

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Complete NBA Draft coverage

CHN's Six-Star Ranking System w/ 2008 Equivalents

= Superstar/All-NBA Potential - Michael Beasley

= Potential NBA All-Star - Derrick Rose

= Consistent NBA Starter - Brook Lopez

= 6th Man/Fringe Starter - Russell Westbrook

= Career Reserve - Roy Hibbert

= Fringe NBA Player/12th Man - JR Giddens

0 stars = Life in the Minor Leagues - Drew Neitzel