In a recent announcement on social media, former Tulane guard/wing Sion James revealed his commitment to Duke University for the upcoming basketball season. The 6-foot-6 player has one season of eligibility remaining and brings a wealth of experience to the team.

James had an impressive season last year with the Green Wave, averaging 14 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He also showcased his shooting skills, with a 38.1 percent accuracy rate from beyond the arc and a 68.3 percent success rate from the free-throw line.

Duke's acquisition of James marks the third transfer portal addition for the team this offseason, following the inclusion of Mason Gillis from Purdue and Maliq Brown from Syracuse. It is expected that James will be the final significant addition to the Blue Devils' roster this summer.

The team has experienced significant changes since their loss to NC State in the Elite Eight. Two players, Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain, have decided to enter the NBA Draft and are anticipated to be first-round picks. Additionally, seven other players have left through the transfer portal, including notable names such as Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell, and T.J. Power.

The continuity of the team has been greatly impacted, with only two players, Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster, from last season set to return. However, Duke has made room for a new six-person, top-ranked incoming recruiting class, led by standout recruit Cooper Flagg.

James' addition to the team fills a positional need, as he is one of only three true guards on the current roster. The incoming class mainly consists of wings and centers, making James the expected first guard off the bench. His athletic slasher style and interior finishing ability provide a different dynamic to Duke's backcourt, complementing the shooting prowess of Foster and Proctor.

Duke's head coach, Jon Scheyer, has strategically built a roster that prioritizes size and defense for the upcoming season. With the inclusion of James, the Blue Devils will have no rotational player under 6-foot-5, aligning with Scheyer's defensive philosophy. The team aims to regain its previous elite defensive status, as demonstrated during Scheyer's first season when it achieved KenPom's 16th-best adjusted defensive efficiency ranking.

With promising defensive prospects like Flagg, shot-blocking potential from 7-foot-1 center Khaman Maluach, and the defensive prowess of Brown and Proctor, Duke seems poised to field one of the nation's top defenses in the 2024-25 season.

While there are still two more scholarships available for potential transfers, the playable roster for Duke is now largely set with the addition of Sion James. Fans eagerly await the upcoming season to see how the team's revamped roster performs under Coach Scheyer's guidance.