Mike James has been one of the most important players on the Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team this season, with impressive stats that speak to his skill and impact on the court. Let’s take a closer look at his performance so far in the 2022-2023 season.
James has played in all 28 games for the Cardinals this season, starting in each one of them. He has averaged 30.5 minutes per game, indicating his importance to the team as a starter and consistent contributor. Over the course of the season, he has scored 262 total points, an average of 9.4 points per game.
One of James’ biggest strengths has been his shooting, particularly from beyond the arc. He has attempted 87 three-pointers this season and has made 32 of them, a solid shooting percentage of 36.8%. Additionally, he has made 86 out of 196 field goal attempts, a shooting percentage of 43.9%.
James has also been effective at getting to the free throw line, where he has made 58 of 77 attempts, a free throw shooting percentage of 75.3%. This indicates that he is not only an accurate shooter, but also a player who can draw fouls and take advantage of opportunities to score points from the charity stripe.
In addition to his scoring ability, James has contributed in other areas of the game as well. He has recorded 91 rebounds this season, averaging 3.3 rebounds per game, and has also recorded 73 assists, averaging 2.6 assists per game. He has also been a solid defender, with 18 steals and 3 blocks on the season.
Overall, James has been a key player for the Cardinals this season, providing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking ability while also contributing on the defensive end. His shooting has been particularly impressive, with strong percentages from both three-point range and the free throw line. With his consistent contributions, James will likely continue to be an important player for Louisville as they push for success in the remainder of the season.
Mike James had a rocky start to his collegiate basketball journey. In October of 2021, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg during practice, forcing him to sit out the entire 2021-22 season. Fortunately, he underwent successful surgery two days later and has since fully recovered and is now playing for the Cardinals. As a highly-touted recruit, his absence was a tough blow for Louisville fans, but they can rest assured that James is back and ready to make an impact.
Before his time at Louisville, James had an impressive high school career at Oak Ridge High School in Florida. In his senior year, he led his team to a 23-3 record and the state 7A semifinals, averaging 19.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He was named the 2020-21 Orlando Sentinel Boys Basketball Player of the Year and the Class 7A Player of the Year in Florida by a panel of coaches and media. James was also ranked 66th nationally by Rivals.com, 77th in the 247Sports national composite, and 77th in the ESPN 100.
In a regional win over Riverview, James put up a remarkable 32 points and 24 rebounds on the way to the state semifinals. He was a 2019-20 first-team all-state selection and Orlando Sentinel All-Area team member, helping Oak Ridge achieve a 21-9 record while reaching the Class 7A state semifinals. James was also a 7A All-State Tourney Selection in 2020.
James chose to attend Louisville over several other top schools, including Alabama, Arkansas, NC State, and Texas A&M. When asked why he chose Louisville, he said, “it was the best fit for me.” His personal goal at UofL is to win a national championship, and he believes that the culture at Louisville is the best thing about being a Cardinal.
Off the court, James enjoys playing video games and keeping his dorm room neat and tidy. He credits his parents, Douglas and Serena James, for having the greatest influence on his athletic career. As a child, he looked up to LeBron James and pretended to be him while playing basketball. James is also proud of his accomplishments and considers committing to Louisville the best moment of his athletic career.
At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, James has the size and athleticism to develop into a solid contributor this year for the Cardinals. With more experience and playing time, he may be able to showcase the skills that made him such a highly touted recruit and help lead Louisville to future success on the court.
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