Anthony James blossoming into leader of young Panthers squad

By Nancy Justis

A year ago, guard Anthony James played beside his best friend Kwadzo Ahelegbe. It was like the University of Northern Iowa teammates were joined at the hip.

“We were with each other all the time, hanging out, playing video games,” said the younger James. “I was always at his apartment.”

Ahelegbe graduated in May. He now plays professionally in Germany. James is learning to take partial responsibility for his team on the court, and for what's important in his own life, without Ahelegbe's close guidance and leadership. The two talk quite often over the internet.

“I'm just trying to follow in his footsteps,” James said. “Outside of basketball he taught me how to be a respectful person. By his actions I know which path to go.

“He always made sure I was on the right track with my school work. Now I do it for myself because I'm a senior in the classroom and I know school is important to me.”

James received a medical redshirt his freshman year after coming down with mononucleosis. Though he will graduate in May with a degree in Family Services, he'll remain in school and play one more season to use up his eligibility.

Starting out with a major in Textiles and Apparel with an emphasis on clothing design, something James still wants to do, he switched majors because “I like helping people. I want to become a certified life educator which means I can pretty much counsel anything, from marriage to domestic violence, to teen violence. I want to start out working with young kids to teenagers.”

After coming off the bench the first three games at the start of last season, “A.J.” had started 52 consecutive games before coming off the bench twice this season due to a myriad of aches and pains. He was selected captain of last year's Missouri Valley Conference All-Improved Squad and earned honorable mention all-MVC honors.

He leads the Panthers in scoring this season with a 13.3 average. His shooting percentages are down a bit from last year but his scoring and rebounding averages have improved along with his assist-to-turnover numbers. With only one senior on the team, James and his teammates have struggled with consistency. They defeated 12

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-ranked Creighton 65-62 but lost big at Wichita State four nights later. Against the Bluejays, James hit the winning bucket with under five seconds remaining.

“We're young,” James said. “We all know our role. We know we need to keep fighting and keep our heads up. We've been so close (in losses), we just need to make a few more extra plays.

“We have to have a positive attitude in things. Things aren't always going to go your way and you've got to overcome the obstacles. Sometimes I think (Ahelegbe) is out there with me on the court, being my right-hand man out there.”

James has been inconsistent himself. When he's enduring an off shooting night, “I just try to help my team as much as I can either physically, or communicating or rebounding. There are a lot of areas in a basketball game where you can help out with.”

He doesn't dwell on an off night. “I don't let it get to me during a game. After a game I might be a little hard on myself. Once I leave the locker room after the game I'm pretty much over the loss or the win.”

Growing up in St. Louis, James concentrated on the sports of basketball, volleyball and football at Normandy High School where he was a two-time All-Metro selection and an all-state honoree his senior year. He was named MVP of the Suburban East Conference and all-academic. He ended his prep career as the school's all-time second-leading scorer.

He considers himself a good defensive and help-side player. “I can handle the basketball, I can shoot pretty well. (I like) my overall aggressiveness. My weakness is I'm not tall enough (6-0)”, which is why he stuck with basketball and not football for his collegiate career.

He's an unselfish player. “Sometimes I prefer to play defense because it can really change the outlook of the game,” he said. “Offense, I see as icing on the cake. I'm always having fun. I actually feel better when I pass (the ball) and see somebody else make the shot. I can give somebody else a lot of confidence.”

James describes himself as a “funny, energetic” person. But his moods change quickly at times. “Guess it depends on which side of the bed I wake up on. For the most part, I'm an overall nice person. I like to see people smile, so I always try to say things that will make people feel good about themselves.

“On the court, I'm pretty quiet. I let my game do all the talking for me.”