Cincinnati Bearcats basketball is facing a significant roster shift as sophomore guard Jizzle James has officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. The move, confirmed by sources, opens the door for the talented guard to explore new opportunities with one season of eligibility remaining.
James emerged as a key contributor for Cincinnati this past season, starting 21 of his 23 appearances. The 6-foot-3 guard proved to be a reliable scorer and shooter, averaging 10.9 points per game while connecting on an impressive 44.2% of his three-point attempts. His performance built on a strong sophomore campaign where he earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors after posting a career-high 12.7 points per game.
A former four-star recruit out of Olympia High School in Florida, James was a highly-touted prospect ranked as the No. 16 point guard in the 2023 class. Over three seasons with the Bearcats, he developed into a consistent backcourt presence, making 95 total appearances with 58 starts.
James's decision comes during a period of transition for the Cincinnati program. The university recently made a coaching change, dismissing Wes Miller in March and hiring Jerrod Calhoun away from Utah State. Calhoun brings a proven track record to Cincinnati, having led the Aggies to a 55-15 record over two seasons with consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Round of 32 run this past year.
At his introductory press conference, Calhoun set high expectations, declaring Cincinnati "the best basketball job in the state of Ohio" and promising to build a program that makes the city proud. James's departure represents one of the first major roster decisions of the Calhoun era as the new coach looks to shape the team in his image.
The transfer portal window for men's basketball officially runs from April 7 to April 21, giving players a 15-day period to declare their intent to transfer. James now joins hundreds of other college athletes seeking new destinations, with his combination of experience, scoring ability, and perimeter shooting likely to generate significant interest from programs across the country.