PULLMAN, Wash. – Graduate transfer Deion James (6-6, 220, Tucson, Ariz./Colorado State) has signed a Financial Aid Agreement and will join the Washington State men's basketball team beginning with the 2019-20 season, Cougar head coach Kyle Smith announced Monday. 

"We are thrilled to have Deion in the program," Smith said.  "He was the first recruit to embrace our program. He is someone who visited Washington State and missed out the first time.  He is getting a second chance and we could not be more happy to have him setting the course for our program.  He is someone who we tried to get at USF because of he is a six-tool forward.  His junior college coach, Brian Peabody, is a long-time friend and respected peer whom I have known for over 25 years.  His experience, maturity, and versatility will be valued."

James spent the last two seasons at Colorado State where he played as a junior in 2017-18 and used his redshirt season in 2018-19 following knee surgery. Prior to that he played his sophomore season at Pima Junior College (2016-17) where he earned his associate degree after one season playing at North Carolina A&T (2015-16). 

As a junior in 2017-18, James played 31 games for Colorado State, notching 21 starts. He was third on the team with 10.4 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per outing. He was also third on the team with 19 blocks and second for field goal percentage, shooting .453. He had a career-high 24 points, while tying his career-high with 14 rebounds against Wyoming, Jan. 31, following his first double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds against Air Force, Jan. 17. 

During his sophomore season at Pima Junior College, James was named the NJCAA Division II National Player of the Year after leading the league with 20.6 points per game and ranking second with 9.6 rebounds a contest. He was named First Team NJCAA All-American, First Team All-Region and the Region I/Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) Co-Player of the Year. He helped lead the Aztecs to a 22-win season, as Pima won the Region 1 Championship and James was named the championship game's Most Valuable Player. James ranked in the top-10 nationally in several categories, including points scored (680) and defensive rebounds (236).

James spent his freshman year at North Carolina A&T where he averaged 5.5 minutes played per game in 21 outings, putting up 1.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. James graduated from Empire High School in Tucson, Arizona where he averaged 16.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 103 games over his career. He averaged a double-double with 21.2 points and 12.2 rebounds per contest as a senior, leading the Ravens to a 17-10 record and earning All-Southern Arizona First Team honors. He averaged 21.1 points and 12.6 boards a game as a junior. 

James will have one year of eligibility and be immediately eligible to play.