**“NO LONGER THE UNDERDOG! — Sion James Inks 4-Year, \$9.97M Deal With Charlotte Hornets in Inspirational Rise to the NBA”**
The journey to the NBA is never easy, and for Sion James, it was anything but guaranteed. The 6-foot-6 guard out of Tulane University wasn’t projected as a surefire draft pick, didn’t attend one of the blue blood programs, and wasn’t regularly featured on highlight reels flooding social media. But what he lacked in buzz, he more than made up for in substance, determination, and heart. His path to signing a four-year, \$9.97 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets is a story rooted in perseverance, faith, and a relentless work ethic that forced the basketball world to take notice. From his early days as an overlooked high school recruit to carving out a reputation as one of the most complete two-way guards in college basketball, Sion James has taken the long road to the league—and now that he’s arrived, he’s ready to make his mark.
Growing up in suburban Georgia, James wasn’t surrounded by the hype machine that often fuels the rise of young basketball phenoms. While others were labeled prodigies by the time they hit their sophomore year, James quietly went about his business, improving each year with little fanfare. He played his high school ball at Brookwood in Snellville, where he developed a reputation for being a smart, tough, and team-first player. Though not ranked among the nation’s elite, his performances were enough to earn him a scholarship to Tulane, a program not known for churning out NBA stars, but one that offered James something more important—an opportunity to play, grow, and lead.
Tulane became the proving ground for James’ transformation. From the minute he stepped on campus, his impact was felt. What he lacked in flashy stats, he made up for in intangibles. Coaches raved about his defensive instincts, his leadership in the locker room, and his understanding of the game. He wasn’t the leading scorer, but he was the one tasked with guarding the opponent’s best perimeter threat. He wasn’t the loudest in interviews, but he was the one his teammates looked to in critical moments. Sion James played winning basketball, and in a world dominated by analytics and potential, sometimes that’s still enough to earn a shot.
It was during his junior and senior seasons that the buzz around James began to build. His numbers steadily improved, and so did his profile. Scouts started to take notice of the way he could impact games without needing the ball in his hands. He could facilitate the offense, knock down timely threes, crash the glass, and disrupt passing lanes on the defensive end. His versatility and maturity stood out in workouts, and while he didn’t hear his name called on draft night, teams knew his name. The Hornets, in particular, had been monitoring his development for over a year and moved quickly once the undrafted free agency window opened.
Charlotte’s front office didn’t view James as a typical undrafted flier. They saw a player who could contribute right away and potentially grow into a rotational piece, maybe even more. That belief was backed up by the terms of his contract—a four-year deal worth nearly \$10 million, a figure that speaks to the organization’s faith in his ability and fit. For a player who wasn’t expected to be in the league at all, it was a life-changing validation of years of hard work. It was a message to every underdog out there that substance still matters, and that there’s a place in the NBA for players who embrace the dirty work.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee has already spoken glowingly about what James brings to the table. In interviews following the announcement of the signing, Lee emphasized James’ defensive toughness, his unselfish style of play, and his high basketball IQ. The Hornets are a team in the midst of retooling, blending young talent like LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams with seasoned vets. There’s a real opportunity for James to carve out a role as a connector, someone who doesn’t need plays run for him but always finds ways to impact the game.
Summer League will be James’ first official opportunity to showcase that skillset on the professional stage. If early practices are any indication, he’s already turning heads. Coaches have noted his vocal leadership and defensive intensity, traits that often take years for rookies to develop. James’ poise, coupled with his mature approach to preparation, has drawn comparisons to glue guys like Josh Hart or Bruce Brown—players who may not always light up the box score but are indispensable to winning teams. Those kinds of players don’t just survive in the league—they thrive.
Beyond his on-court attributes, James brings a level of character and maturity that teams crave. His journey has taught him humility and perspective. He’s seen the highs and lows, gone through stretches of self-doubt, and emerged stronger for it. He knows what it means to be counted out and what it takes to fight for everything you want. That chip on his shoulder isn’t going anywhere. It’s what fuels him, and it’s part of what makes him such a compelling figure in the Hornets’ locker room. For a team trying to build a winning culture, having someone like Sion James around can be a foundational piece.
The NBA is full of stories about players who made it big through unconventional means—Draymond Green, Fred VanVleet, and Bruce Brown are just a few examples of players who were overlooked early in their careers but found ways to thrive through grit, versatility, and mental toughness. James now finds himself in that same category—a player who beat the odds and now stands on the cusp of living out a dream. And just like those before him, he understands that the journey doesn’t stop with the signing of a contract. It’s only the beginning.
For Hornets fans, James represents something refreshing. In an era of flash, highlights, and social media buzz, he’s a reminder of what still matters most—playing the right way. He’s the kind of player who might not fill highlight reels, but he’ll win you possessions, games, and maybe, down the road, playoff series. He’s the guy who dives on the floor, boxes out bigger players, takes charges, and makes the extra pass. Every successful team needs one, and the Hornets may have just found theirs.
The community in Charlotte is already embracing James. He’s made it clear he wants to be involved locally, especially in youth mentorship and outreach programs. Having come from a humble background, he understands the value of role models and the power of representation. James knows there are countless kids watching him now, just as he once watched his favorite NBA players and dreamed. For him, wearing an NBA jersey isn’t just about personal glory—it’s about using his platform for something bigger.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on the rookies fighting for roster spots, but few will carry the underdog weight that James does. And few are better equipped to handle it. He’s shown time and again that he rises to the moment—not with ego, but with quiet confidence and relentless effort. There’s no telling just how high his ceiling could be, but if his past is any indication, betting against him would be a mistake.
In many ways, Sion James is exactly what today’s NBA needs more of—players who understand the game, play unselfishly, and elevate those around them. He won’t be the loudest voice in the room, but he’ll be the one setting the tone. He won’t ask for attention, but he’ll earn respect. And he may not have entered the league through the front door, but make no mistake—he belongs here.
As the 2025 NBA season draws nearer, Sion James is poised to prove that his deal with the Hornets was no charity. It was an investment. An investment in character. In grit. In versatility. In the unteachable traits that define winners. From Brookwood to Tulane, and now to the NBA, Sion James has rewritten the rules of how you make it to the big leagues. He’s no longer the underdog. He’s the example.
