If you were looking for a surprise appearance from Jizzle James for the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout vs. Xavier, you're out of luck.
James could be in Cintas Center but only as a fan.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Monday, Dec. 1, the guard from Orlando was spotted at Fifth Third Arena during the UC vs. Tarleton State game. He made his way near the media area and was later featured on the video scoreboard late in the game.
In mid-August, UC announced James was "not currently with the team" as he dealt with personal issues. Monday was the first public sighting of the player who was featured the past two seasons under Wes Miller.
While James looked good, said he's been working out and wore a Cincinnati Bearcats parka, he won't be in uniform in the Shootout.
Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) dribbles as Xavier Musketeers guard Dayvion McKnight (20) guards him in the first half of the NCAA Basketball game at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.Cincinnati Bearcats coach Wes Miller on Jizzle James
"Jizzle's family here," Miller said. "That's my family. He's not my son or a member of my blood family, but whatever the closest thing you could call somebody that's not blood, that's what I consider Jizzle and a lot of other kids that I've coached. He's never not been in our lives; he's just not been on our team."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNot long after the announcement involving James in August, his father, NFL Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, moved a younger brother onto campus. So, clearly, bridges weren't burned.
From a legal standpoint, any student enrolled in UC could be put on the basketball team this season, but the word from UC is that's currently not planned. James is using school facilities to work out, but there are currently no plans to have him in team activities or traveling with the team.
Naturally, anything in college sports can change.
"If anyone wants to ask how he's doing personally, he's doing great," Miller said. "That's what I care about, what I'm happy about and what I'm proud of. He's on campus, he's enrolled, he's using our facilities. It's not news; it's been going on for a while. As far as basketball, I don't have any comments on it. There's nothing to talk about or report."
Jizzle James played in the last two Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootouts but won't be in this year's event at Xavier's Cingtas. James is enrolled at UC and working out again.Impact of Jizzle James on Cincinnati Bearcats
Edgerrin "Jizzle" James Jr. first committed to UC in October 2022 and came to watch the Bearcats in his hometown of Orlando on Feb. 21, 2021 against UCF.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"It was a great game," James said of the contest that featured a David DeJulius game-winning shot. "It's a great rivalry, and it was cool to see the team play. It made me excited for next year."
His freshman year he played in 37 games and started the last two in the NIT after Day Day Thomas was hurt. He averaged 8.8 points per game and in his first Crosstown Shootout at Cintas Center, came off the bench for 19 points in an 84-79 UC loss.
Last season, he started all 35 games and was the team's leading scorer at 12.7 points per game and led with 124 assists. Though UC won the Shootout at Fifth Third Arena, James was held to two points and was 0-for-11 from the field.
Will he play in another Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout?
If so, it won't be this one.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jizzle James is not playing for UC Bearcats basketball right now
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