Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Sion James Draft Projection – Where Will the Duke’s Versatile Defender Land in the 2025 NBA Draft?

Sino James showed his playmaking ability for a 35-win Duke team last season.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Sion James would be an exciting player in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft. The former Duke star grew up in Sugar Hill, Georgia and attended Lanier High School. He averaged 14.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 36.9 minutes in his sophomore season. Later, James attended the CP3 Elite Guard Camp and transferred to Duke Blue Devils for his fifth year. Sion was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team last season and averaged 8.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks.

James has made a big improvement in his final two seasons and he became a prominent versatile defender who can provide opportunities through elite dribbling. The 6’6” Duke graduate showed his playmaking ability and guided the Blue Devils to the final four of the 2025 NCAA Championship. James has made 39.5% of his threes on 5.2 attempts per 100 possessions in past two seasons. He has made 58.5% of his halfcourt rim attempts during the college career. He was a key player for a 35-win Duke team last season.

Sion James has been a defensive stalwart in today’s combine scrimmages.

6’6, 8’4 reach — exceptional instinct, physicality + defensive playmaking on display. A surefire impact player that’ll be a STEAL in the 2nd round. pic.twitter.com/YCz4i9lM7T
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) May 15, 2025

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Sion James’ Strength and Weaknesses

Strengths

Defensive versatility and playmaking
He can thrive in a high usage role
Gets to the rim often (90th %tile)
A tremendous downhill attacker
He has creativity for finding open teammates
Steady ballhandling
James rebounds well (82nd %tile DReb%)
Sion James can become a solid role player
Talented ball-handler
Has the vertical pop to finish above the rim
He has power to defend multiple positions

Weaknesses

He doesn’t take many midrange pull-ups
Limited off-dribble scoring
Struggles to generate shots for himself
Limited offensive creator

Sion James’ Stats and Accomplishments

Sino James, in the freshman year for Tulane, averaged 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He averaged 9.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game as a junior. The former Duke student averaged 14 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during his senior season.

Sion James’ Accomplishment:

AAC sportsmanship award (Junior Season)
ACC All-Defensive team (2024)
AAC sportsmanship award (Senior Season)

Sion James’ Draft Projection

Sion James is projected to be an mid-second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. As far as the mock draft goes, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo of The Athletic put James as the 43rd overall pick, whereas CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone mocked him to be drafted by the LA Clippers as the 51st overall pick in the draft.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.