Itta Bena, Miss. - Mississippi Valley State men's basketball standout Michael James has been named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year and earned First Team All-SWAC honors following a remarkable debut season with the Delta Devils.

James quickly established himself as one of the most dynamic scorers in the conference and across the nation, finishing the season ranked 14th in the country in scoring while leading Mississippi Valley State offensively throughout the 2025–26 campaign.

The standout guard appeared in 30 games and logged 1,115 total minutes, averaging 37.2 minutes per contest while serving as the centerpiece of the Delta Devils' offense. James finished the season with 641 total points, averaging 21.4 points per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field.

In addition to his scoring production, James demonstrated versatility across the stat sheet. He knocked down 75 three-pointers during the season and shot an impressive 91.9 percent from the free-throw line. He also contributed 3.3 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per contest, and averaged 1.6 steals per game while playing a key role on both ends of the floor.

James delivered several standout performances throughout the season, including a 35-point outing against MUW and multiple 30-point games during non-conference and SWAC play. His consistent scoring ability helped keep the Delta Devils competitive against a challenging schedule that included several Power Five opponents.

His performance against conference competition further solidified his impact, as he consistently led the Delta Devils in scoring while playing nearly the entire game on many nights.

James' recognition as SWAC Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-SWAC selection highlights one of the most impressive individual seasons in recent Mississippi Valley State men's basketball history and underscores his immediate impact in his first year with the program.

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