Kenny Sailors, Flynn Robinson, Fennis Dembo, Larry Nance, Jr., and...Justin James? Keep an eye on #1 this season, you could be watching one of Wyoming's all-time greats.

James enters his senior season ranked 19th on the career scoring list with 1,355 points. Barring injury, the All-Mountain West guard could end up in the top five. He'll need to average 15 points per game to pass Josh Adams for fifth place. Matching last year's 18.9 average would overtake Eric Leckner for fourth place. James would need to average over 22 points per game to pass Flynn Robinson for third place and over 26 points per game to move past Brandon Ewing into second place. For now, Fennis Dembo's career scoring record is safe. James would need to average nearly 31 points per game to claim to the mark.

But James is more than just a scorer, according to his coach Allen Edwards.

"He’s a guy that not only scores the basketball but rebounds the basketball, a guy that also assists because he has to make the game a little bit easier for these guys," Edward told the Casper Star-Tribune.

The Florida native has steadily improved since arriving in Laramie three years ago. As a freshman, he averaged just over 5.2 points per game and showed glimpses of future greatness. In his sophomore season, James firmly established himself as a team leader, averaging 16 points and five rebounds. As a junior, James became one of the top players in the conference, earning All-Mountain West honors with 18.9 points, six rebounds and three assists per game.

James will carry an even bigger load as a senior. With eight newcomers on the Wyoming roster, James is the only returning player who averaged more than 5.3 points last season. If he can stay healthy, he will be remembered among the best all-around players in Pokes history.

 

 

More From KOWB 1290