During his post-draft media availability, James was asked about charity work he's already done in the Charlotte community. His game and his mindset put him on the fast track to becoming a fan favorite in the Queen City, no matter the local's preferred college.

The Charlotte Hornets used the first of their early picks in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Duke forward Sion James. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, James was named an All-ACC defender, averaging 8.

Hornets president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson is ‘very excited' about the addition of Duke's Kon Knueppel and Liam McNeeley but one scout was befuddled by Charlotte's draft approach.