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During the recruiting process, it was obvious that Josiah James wanted to go his own way.
Porter Porter-Gaud reinforced this Wednesday when he took Tennessee over the Duke Power Station and Clemson Public School Wednesday at a ceremony at his school.
Clemson was the favorite of Crystal Ball's predictions of 247Sports, with 93% of James' predictions for Tigers. He visited the tigers over the weekend.
James could have chosen Duke, whose alignment is filled with five-star prospects each year. Zion Williamson, the state's best player for the 2018 class, chose Duke earlier this year.
But James has felt comfortable with Tennessee coach Rick Barnes and the program. The Flights were the first to offer following an AAU game in Spartanburg in the summer before their first season.
"You can certainly go there and build your own heritage," said James. "It's not that he did not have great players in the past and they still have good players. It was a different route. People wanted me to take the path of blue blood or the way of the state.
James was not one and it was true when he was announced. He had just a hat, an orange flight, in the bag when he announced his decision.
While James's decision may have knocked out many people, his father, Kurt James, said it was his son's person. Josiah James remained faithful to Porter-Gaud instead of going to a more showy school. He also remained faithful to the Charleston-based TMP AAU program when teams from Nike, Under Armor and Adidas appealed to him.
"Josiah is a different kid," said Kurt James. "I do not say as much as basketball but as a person. He has been faithful to Porter-Gaud, TMP and the people who have been loyal to him. He just felt that this relationship with Coach Barnes and Coach Barnes could help him reach his full potential. "
James made his official visit to Tennessee earlier this month and the entire Flights team was there to greet him with his parents at the hotel. He also attended a Tennessee football game and played the pickup game with players from the team.
"There was no other option for me," James said. "Tennessee was home to me. … I just fell in love with the school and the coach Barnes is a renowned coach and the level of care that he has for his players and their success on and off the pitch are unmatched.
James gave Barnes his decision Monday and was scheduled to meet with coach Brad Brownell on Wednesday. According to 247Sports, James is the third highest all-time engagement for Tennessee. Only Tobias Harris and Scotty Hopson were ranked higher.
James joins York Prep's DJ Burns on the Tennessee list. Burns was one of the best SC class rookies for 2019, reclassified and registered in Tennessee this summer.
247Sports and Rivals have ranked James as a five-star hope and 14e throughout the country. It is ranked # 20 by ESPN. James will lead for Tennessee, but will also be able to play shooting.
"It's a guy who can play one by three on both sides of the ground. He has an incredible body and feel for the game and a lot of sensations. It has everything you want from a high school perspective, "said Rivals National Recruitment Analyst, Corey Evans, about James earlier this year.
James played for the U.S. U.S. National Basketball Team (6-0) and won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Under-20 Championship. 18 years old. He will participate in the camp of the US National Junior Basketball Team in October.
James averaged 10 points and seven assists last season to help Porter-Gaud make his third consecutive SCISA 3A title.
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