A rookie second-round pick, James spent four seasons at Tulane before joining Duke for a fifth and final collegiate campaign in 2024-25. He was never a prolific producer, but he's a solid all-around player and shot 41.3 percent from deep as a Blue Devil. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges should start every game they are healthy, while the center position could be a revolving door. The top backups will likely be Collin Sexton, Grant Williams, Moussa Diabate (if he's not starting), Josh Green, Spencer Dinwiddie, Nick Smith and Tidjane Salaun. That doesn't leave much room for James or fellow rookie Liam McNeeley, who was taken No. 29 overall. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a three-year, $7.23 million contract with the Hornets in July of 2025. Contract includes $2.74 million team option for 2028-29.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Sion James grew up in Sugar Hill, Georgia and attended Lanier High School. He started his collegiate career at Tulane, where he started 17 of 23 appearances as a freshman in 2020-21. He became a full-time starter as a sophomore, and his role increased into his fourth year, where he averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 36.9 minutes. Following that campaign, attended the CP3 Elite Guard Camp and transferred to Duke for his fifth year. During 2024-25, he was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team, averaging 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks in 25.6 minutes. James' improved shooting over his final two seasons gives scouts a lot to think about, as the rest of his game is developed. He's an elite, multi-positional defender who can dribble and find his teammates for open looks. James doesn't project as a primary playmaker, but he's a high-IQ offensive player who makes things happen when the ball is swung to him. Physically, he has NBA size and won't get bullied. If James' jumper is reliable at the NBA level, he could carve out a role right away. Depending on what he's asked to do, comparisons to players like De'Anthony Melton, Bruce Brown and Aaron Nesmith are apt. His multi-positional optionality on both ends of the court will ultimately help him find minutes.
Not starting Friday
FCharlotte Hornets
December 5, 2025
James is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus the Raptors.
ANALYSIS The rookie will return to a reserve role with Brandon Miller active, but James should still be heavily involved in the rotation with Tre Mann (ankle) unavailable. Through nine games with the second unit this season, James has posted averages of 6.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 triples a night.
2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Vs Opp
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - By Result
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Advanced Stats
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2025
Stat Review
How does Sion James compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
58.8%
Effective Field Goal %
53.5%
3-Point Attempt Rate
62.8%
Free Throw Rate
31.0%
Offensive Rebound %
1.9%
Defensive Rebound %
11.6%
Total Rebound %
6.8%
Assist %
7.8%
Steal %
1.2%
Block %
1.6%
Turnover %
11.8%
Usage %
10.5%
Fantasy Points Per Game
15.3
Fantasy Points Per Minute
0.6
Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Hornets Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Sion James was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Sorare
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Passive again in victory
FCharlotte Hornets
November 29, 2025
James contributed two points (1-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 30 minutes during Saturday's 118-111 overtime victory over the Raptors.
ANALYSIS Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
ANALYSIS "I love the communication that he has," Lee said of James. "He's very vocal in what he sees during the game, which I think helps his teammates and helps me as well. And then offensively, he stays within himself. He's looking to catch and shoot. He's looking to create and connect everybody on our team." The rookie second-rounder has carved out a key role in Charlotte, averaging 26.1 minutes per night with 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.2 three-pointers.