Marquette men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart has secured another significant recruit for his team. Class of 2025 point guard Nigel James recently committed to the Golden Eagles, choosing Marquette over Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Rutgers. James emphasized the importance of relationships in his decision, aligning perfectly with Smart’s coaching philosophy. James spoke highly of his daily interactions with Smart and assistant coach Cody Hatt, praising the program and the school’s overall environment.
Nigel James is a 6’0”, 182-pound point guard from Long Island Lutheran High School in New York. He is ranked as a top-100 prospect nationally by 247 Sports and has varying rankings from other recruiting services, including Rivals and On3. Despite the differing opinions on his ranking, James’ aggressive playing style and his commitment to winning make him a valuable addition to Marquette’s roster. James spent the 2022-23 school year at Cushing Academy in Massachusetts, further honing his skills.
James’ commitment is the second for Marquette’s Class of 2025, following Ian Miletic’s pledge in June. With current point guards Sean Jones and Tre Norman already on the team, James is expected to benefit from at least one year of development under their mentorship before taking on significant responsibilities on the court. This strategic recruitment aims to bolster Marquette’s backcourt depth and future prospects.
