Scouting Report: Nigel James

[DoctorV]

He's bigger than Sean......a few inches taller would be my guess.

Good write up.......i have seen him a bunch. If he can make enough shots to be respected out there he can be really good.

Can't be stronger than Sean, or Tre for that matter, can he?

[MuMark]

Can't be stronger than Sean, or Tre for that matter, can he?

Yeah not yet.......but he's a tough kid who isn't weak for his size and will get stronger.....like all freshman.

What I like is he plays with an edge........definitely a dog in the best sense.

[JoanofArcMascot]

I will be shocked if James is not the starting PG for every healthy game of his Marquette career. As many accurately have pointed out here, Shaka is a big Sean Jones fan. One reason for that is Jones' terrific, team-first attitude. Players like that don't care if they start, and his versatile skillset makes him a fit at PG and SG. His speed and quickness energize a team, especially coming off the bench. Starters minutes? Sure. Starter. Why? James is a pure PG who will have a terrific career. He gets starters' minutes in high school and gets the most minutes by far at the point for the team. Don't let sixth-man status fool you. Maybe there are family reasons for that. If I'm not mistaken, the starting PG's brother is best prospect on the team and a junior. Keep the family happy. James isn't a great shooter, but a better shooter than Junior Cadougan, who was at PG for two Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight teams. He also is a far better shooter than Tre Norman, an excellent defender and an underrated passer, but tough to put on the court unless he improves his FT shooting and completely reworks his shot, maybe lowering the release point.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I will be shocked if James is not the starting PG for every healthy game of his Marquette career. As many accurately have pointed out here, Shaka is a big Sean Jones fan. One reason for that is Jones' terrific, team-first attitude. Players like that don't care if they start, and his versatile skillset makes him a fit at PG and SG. His speed and quickness energize a team, especially coming off the bench. Starters minutes? Sure. Starter. Why? James is a pure PG who will have a terrific career. He gets starters' minutes in high school and gets the most minutes by far at the point for the team. Don't let sixth-man status fool you. Maybe there are family reasons for that. If I'm not mistaken, the starting PG's brother is best prospect on the team and a junior. Keep the family happy. James isn't a great shooter, but a better shooter than Junior Cadougan, who was at PG for two Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight teams. He also is a far better shooter than Tre Norman, an excellent defender and an underrated passer, but tough to put on the court unless he improves his FT shooting and completely reworks his shot, maybe lowering the release point.

IF both guys are healthy I'd be absolutely shocked if Nigel starts over Sean.  Anything is possible but I don't see it happening.

[The Sultan]

I will be shocked if James is not the starting PG for every healthy game of his Marquette career. As many accurately have pointed out here, Shaka is a big Sean Jones fan. One reason for that is Jones' terrific, team-first attitude. Players like that don't care if they start, and his versatile skillset makes him a fit at PG and SG. His speed and quickness energize a team, especially coming off the bench. Starters minutes? Sure. Starter. Why? James is a pure PG who will have a terrific career. He gets starters' minutes in high school and gets the most minutes by far at the point for the team. Don't let sixth-man status fool you. Maybe there are family reasons for that. If I'm not mistaken, the starting PG's brother is best prospect on the team and a junior. Keep the family happy. James isn't a great shooter, but a better shooter than Junior Cadougan, who was at PG for two Sweet 16 and one Elite Eight teams. He also is a far better shooter than Tre Norman, an excellent defender and an underrated passer, but tough to put on the court unless he improves his FT shooting and completely reworks his shot, maybe lowering the release point.

I would be shocked if a true freshman starts at point over a healthy redshirt junior. And don't do the mental gymnastics - Shaka will start whomever earn the role. Not because of who is related to whom.

[JoanofArcMascot]

The relative reference explained why the high school point guard starts over James. His brother, a junior superstar, I believe is already committed and not being recruited by Marquette. Again, I will be shocked if James does not start because I believe he will be best suited to the PG position and he and Jones likely will get similar overall minutes.

[The Sultan]

The relative reference explained why the high school point guard starts over James. His brother, a junior superstar, I believe is already committed and not being recruited by Marquette. Again, I will be shocked if James does not start because I believe he will be best suited to the PG position and he and Jones likely will get similar overall minutes.

You should never be shocked that a freshman doesn't start. He may...and that would be great actually because that would mean he's pretty good...but hyping up freshman is a long honored Scoop tradition.

[TallTitan34]

...but hyping up freshman is a long honored Scoop tradition.

Followed by crapping on the same freshman after one season.

[The Sultan]

Followed by crapping on the same freshman after one season game.

FIFY

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

The relative reference explained why the high school point guard starts over James. His brother, a junior superstar, I believe is already committed and not being recruited by Marquette. Again, I will be shocked if James does not start because I believe he will be best suited to the PG position and he and Jones likely will get similar overall minutes.

You seem to be a bit confused.  Here's the real situation for Long Island Lutheran's starting lineup:

PG Dylan Mingo 6-5
5 star junior/9th overall on 247 composite index (uncommitted)

CG Kaden Mingo 6-2
4 star senior/38th overall on 247 composite index (Penn State commit)

SG Kiyan Anthony 6-5
4 star senior/34th overall on 247 composite index (Syracuse commit)


PF MJ Madison 6-9
4 star junior/63rd overall on 247 composite index (uncommitted)

C Niko Onyekwere 7-1
3 star senior (decommitted from Florida State)

Bench

PG Nigel James 6-0
4 star senior/83rd on 247 composite index (Marquette)


SF 6-8 Moussa Kamissoko
5 star sophomore/13th overall on 247 composite index

C 6-11 Omar Essam
Unranked Jr

So, Nigel came off the bench (most games) because his HS team was loaded, not due to any ulterior motive. 

[Jay Bee]

Tre 2 start.

Nigel - love the start/stop shiftiness. Another guy that will be fun/entertaining to watch.

Worry will be a 20%+ turnover rate as a frosh. Our TO% saved our offense last season -- a real concern this coming year.

[TallTitan34]

I'm hopeful the defensive background of some of the guys puts them a little ahead of the curve defensively and gets them more minutes than a usual freshman. 

[willie warrior]

You seem to be a bit confused.  Here's the real situation for Long Island Lutheran's starting lineup:

PG Dylan Mingo 6-5
5 star junior/9th overall on 247 composite index (uncommitted)

CG Kaden Mingo 6-2
4 star senior/38th overall on 247 composite index (Penn State commit)

SG Kiyan Anthony 6-5
4 star senior/34th overall on 247 composite index (Syracuse commit)


PF MJ Madison 6-9
4 star junior/63rd overall on 247 composite index (uncommitted)

C Niko Onyekwere 7-1
3 star senior (decommitted from Florida State)

Bench

PG Nigel James 6-0
4 star senior/83rd on 247 composite index (Marquette)


SF 6-8 Moussa Kamissoko
5 star sophomore/13th overall on 247 composite index

C 6-11 Omar Essam
Unranked Jr

So, Nigel came off the bench (most games) because his HS team was loaded, not due to any ulterior motive. 

On paper, looks like this team could have handled MU this year, Shaka's weakest team since first year.

[Hards Alumni]

On paper, looks like this team could have handled MU this year, Shaka's weakest team since first year.

Well, to be fair, on paper you're a dumbass.

But in reality, you're also a dumbass if you think Marquette would have been handled by a bunch of high schoolers this year.

[TallTitan34]

On paper, looks like this team could have handled MU this year, Shaka's weakest team since first year.

WILLLIEBRRRIICCCCCCKKKKKKK

[JoanofArcMascot]

Not confused. Thought he was much better than Kaden Mingo, the senior. Don't care what ratings say. Probably rated higher cuz he starts and James comes off the bench. It's my opinion that is the case to placate family so that super talented brother doesn't bolt. You disagree, which is fine. That doesn't mean you are confused. It means you disagree. No need to get your feathers ruffled at anyone who doesn't spout company line. Disagreement is healthy. Don't feel threatened by it.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Not confused. Thought he was much better than Kaden Mingo, the senior. Don't care what ratings say. Probably rated higher cuz he starts and James comes off the bench. It's my opinion that is the case to placate family so that super talented brother doesn't bolt. You disagree, which is fine. That doesn't mean you are confused. It means you disagree. No need to get your feathers ruffled at anyone who doesn't spout company line. Disagreement is healthy. Don't feel threatened by it.

Not threatened at all. I was just confused by your previous post. Thanks for clarifying.

I guess we will disagree on our assessments of Kaden Mingo and Nigel James.  Kaden is a quality prospect headed to a B1G school. Kaden is bigger than Nigel, plus a better shooter and scorer; plays more like a SG. Nigel is a better passer and defender; plays more like a PG.

Since Dylan Mingo can play the point, I think the coach decided to start his two best shooters and scorers alongside him.  That would be Kaden Mingo and Kiyan Anthony.

In my opinion, Kaden has enough merit to start for LILu regardless of who his brother is.  I don't think Nigel came off the bench due to, what I think, sounds like a conspiracy theory.

[BCHoopster]

Shaka will have to change the D this year due to the size of the little guards. It would be nice if Norman can be in the end of games for his  D, but for that to happen he has to be able to shoot free throws.  James being a little bigger and seems to be physical D player, might be the end of games player, if he can make throws.  I see a lot of O and D changes at end of games. Or Ross, Lowery and Owens in as they all are good free throw shooters, interesting problems!

[Uncle Rico]

Shaka will have to change the D this year due to the size of the little guards. It would be nice if Norman can be in the end of games for his  D, but for that to happen he has to be able to shoot free throws.  James being a little bigger and seems to be physical D player, might be the end of games player, if he can make throws.  I see a lot of O and D changes at end of games. Or Ross, Lowery and Owens in as they all are good free throw shooters, interesting problems!

FTS no matta

[tower912]

I would agree, and have stated, that MU will have to tweak their defense.  We saw when they were freshmen and sophomores that teams would force switches to put Gold on the perimeter and Sean on the post.  Forcing mismatches is a staple of offense.

There was a little more of only switching 1-4 and having Ben stay home on the big later in the season.  He would hedge and recover on the high pick and roll, a la Otule.

This is one of the reasons I see Tre getting more time than others do.   It is likely that Jones and James are going to be the smallest guards in the Big East.  They will be targets for switches when in the game.   Sean showed himself to be a very good on ball defender and adept at jumping passing lanes.  Hopefully, James is the same.   But it is always going to be a challenge if the opponent has somebody else bring the ball up and force the <6 footers to play in the paint.   Physics and basketball math.