NC State transfer portal commitment analysis: Mike James
Former Louisville guard/forward Mike James told On3’s Joe Tipton he committed to NC State on Tuesday afternoon. The Cardinals’ stalwart in the starting lineup has two years of eligibility remaining as he arrives in Raleigh.
James is the third transfer portal commitment of the cycle for the Wolfpack, including the second wing to pick the red and white after the team’s Final Four run. James helps fill a need on the Wolfpack’s roster and will make the team’s roster even deeper moving into the 2024-25 season.
James brings experience to NC State
NC State added yet another collegiate transfer that has a plethora of experience coming into NC State — and it is at the ACC level, too. After James redshirted his freshman season with a torn Achilles tendon, he started the next 64 games with the Cardinals.
James was a key piece of Louisville’s teams under Kenny Payne in the last two years. He played more than 30 minutes over the course of both seasons, including 33.3 minutes this past year, which turned into an average of 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds a game.
The Orlando, Fla., native was the Cardinals’ most-used small forward and shooting guard at the end of the season, according to KenPom.com. He played 50% of the possessions at small forward in the team’s last five games, while he logged 36% of the available opportunities at shooting guard.
James played 82.8% of the available minutes during the season, which ranked No. 188 in all of Division I.
Can get to the rim
James is a good threat on the floor, and he is capable beyond the arc at 34% this past season, but the guard/forward is able to score inside the paint. NC State lacked that at times last season with its guards having difficulty being able to consistently drive to the hoop. That is not a problem with James.
He logged a 42.6% shooting mark inside the arc this past season and was able to drive to the rim with ease — and collect free throw attempts in the process. He led Louisville with 154 free throw attempts this past season and James was able to knock down 126 of them for an 81.8% clip from the charity stripe.
James can fill up the bucket with 22 double-figure scoring efforts at Louisville this past season, including 10 straight from late-November to mid-January. He finished that stretch with a 23-point game against Pittsburgh, a 26-point effort at Miami and 20 points against NC State early in ACC play this season.
Expect the Wolfpack to utilize James in pick and rolls next season to make the most of his skill set.
Expand his game?
If there is a spot in James’ game where NC State could look to grow his skill set, it will be in the assist department. He averaged just 1.3 assists a game in two seasons at Louisville — 81 total in his career.
NC State could look to improve James’ game in that area of the sport, which would help create an even more dynamic attack with him on the floor alongside two capable creators at guard (Michael O’Connell being one of those possibilities).
Back with Brandon Huntley-Hatfield
James spent the last two seasons alongside forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield at Louisville. Now, those two will be back together at NC State as both committed to the Wolfpack through the portal this offseason.
The duo played well together and although they played for the last-place team in the ACC, they were two of the Cardinals’ most integral pieces to the puzzle (along with point guard Skyy Clark). It should not go unnoticed that James and Huntley-Hatfield have chemistry built with one another and could end up in a pick and roll with each other.
James and Huntley-Hatfield both bring experience to the Wolfpack’s squad, while that pair of players can help make the transition to a new program an easier transition since they already have a bond with one another.
On3’s scouting report on James
“Mike James is a tough and physical presence,” On3’s Jamie Shaw said. “His length and his athleticism allow him to play bigger than his listed 6-6 size. He has natural instincts that allow him to track the ball and defend up and down a line up. He does not shy away from contact and has a history of making hustle plays when presented. James knocks down his free throws consistently and has to be accounted for from beyond the arc. While his handle is not overly complex, he can get downhill in straight lines. The production is the take away with James.”
NC State scholarship count
The Wolfpack has one open scholarship ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. NC State has two other transfer portal commitments and two incoming true freshmen to add to the red and white’s roster.
NC State transfer portal commitment timeline
Forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville) — April 4
Guard/forward Dontrez Styles (Georgetown) — April 19
Guard/forward Mike James (Louisville) — April 23
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