RALEY, N.C. — In the world of college basketball, dominated by transfer portals that drive more players' movements than people's movements at the Grand Central Terminal at Rush Hour, Theon James is a dinosaur.
The 22-year-old security guard, who transferred to Duke earlier this season after playing for four years for Tulane, will play in his 150th career college game on Sunday, when Blue Devils plays Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
James' 149th College Game came on Friday with a first round victory at Mount St. Mary, but it was his first NCAA tournament game, about 1,576 days for Tulane since his college debut.
And that is the realization of a dream.
“It was cool to just look around the court, see the big NCAA tournament logo on the floor, go out and go back to the hotel to see the game and see the game and know I just played for one of them,” James posted on Saturday.
James said every year that Tulane knew he needed to win in conference tournaments to win the NCAA Tournament berth and never got over it.
“It's always been a dream to play in the NCAA tournament,” James said. So being here now is to please know everything I have gone through.”
James, who averaged 8.5 points and 4.1 rebounds, played a quiet game on Friday, scoring only two points in a 0-5 shooting.
However, Duke is 26-1 since Duke coach John Shayer inserted him into the starting lineup on December 4th.
“More than anything, it feels like we're starting to connect more and more as a team,” James said, distracting personal admiration. [26-1] The numbers are great and it reflects well in me, but it's not really about “me.” That's a problem we're really starting to click as a team.”
James said the move to Duke “everything happened pretty quickly.” ”
“I entered the portal and I got a call from Coach Shayer,” he said. I'm here and everything makes sense right away.”
James said he never guessed to play this many college games.
“I'd never thought about it,” he said. I don't think there was a perspective at the time. But after 150 games… who was thinking? ”
