Aziaha James reaches 1,000-point milestone: 'It means so much'
Aziaha James knew she was about to reach a major milestone going into NC State’s clash with Kent State. Before the season even tipped off, the senior guard recognized she was rapidly approaching the 1,000-point mark for her career.
“I definitely knew I was close,” James said.
The Wolfpack defeated the Golden Flashes 79-51 in the program’s third game of the fall. After scoring 30 points in NC State’s first 2 matchups, she put up a season-best 20 Thursday night on 8 of 15 shooting.
James is an anomaly in modern college athletics. She did not play a ton over her first season and a half with the Pack but did not look elsewhere as a former elite recruit. The 5-9 playmaker grew into an All-ACC first team guard and, with a corner three in the final minute of the second quarter, surpassed the milestone she worked so persistently to reach.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Moore said.
“And I probably made it difficult on her because, the first year or two, I know she didn’t play as much, but I love the fact that she was patient, she kept working and she trusted the process, so I’m excited to see her reach that milestone.”
The senior guard knocked down the triple and ran into the halftime tunnel with her hands raised to a loud ovation from the crowd as her accomplishment was broadcast over the PA system.
That momentum carried over into the second half as James scored 8 points in the third quarter. She knocked down 3 of 4 shots, including 2 triples, while also dishing out a pair of assists. At one point in the third period, fellow leader of the Pack Saniya Rivers found her with a pinpoint pass into the paint that turned into an open layup.
Rivers backpedaled down the courts smiling and shaking her head. The senior backcourt duo grew into stars together over the past few years. They combined for 26 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks against Kent State.
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“Our bond off the court, it helps us on the court,” James said. “And I think that’s just it, just having a tight bond. More than a teammate, she’s my sister and more than that.”
In addition to the scoring prowess that helped her leap past the 1,000-point threshold, James also continues to showcase growth as a playmaker and a rebounder. She led NC State with 9 boards and 4 assists Thursday.
“I like it when you fill up a stat sheet,” Moore said. “She had nine rebounds. She had four assists, zero turnovers. So she had an all-around game. Still trying to get a little more focus on defense, but yeah, happy for her. That’s a great accomplishment.”
James made it clear that she is not taking this milestone for granted. Only 37 other Wolfpack athletes have reached that mark.
It’s the product of years spent in the gym preparing for stardom in the NC State red and white.
“It means so much,” James said. “Just the journey I went through since freshman year, and everybody knows my story by now, but the unseen hours… they’re starting to show, so it feels real good.”
