CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball program announced the signing of Jaylen James (G, 6-1 175, Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. James is the seventh signee for the 2020-21 class for the Golden Eagles joining Morgan Carter (F/C, 6-7 215, Porthcawl, Wales (Porthcawl, Wales/Hillsborough C.C.), Rafael Carton (F, 6-7 230, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands/IES Pilar), Ethan Channel (G, 6-4 190, Beaverton, Ore./Portland C.C.), Georges Darwiche (G, 6-1 183, Bucharest, Romania/Siena College), Leonard Dixon (F, 6-7 200, Damascus, Ore./Mount Hood C.C.), and Hunter Lyman (F/C, 6-8 215, West Fargo, N.D. (West Fargo H.S.).

"Jaylen comes from a basketball family and his dad is a close coaching friend of mine," Weisse said. "When I found out Jaylen was available and interested in coming to Minnesota Crookston I got him on the phone right away. Jaylen played for a very good high school team and I know he has a very good mindset. He comes in shot ready. Jaylen can really shoot the ball. He also has a really high basketball IQ. I know he is looking to get bigger and stronger as are most freshmen. We will work with him on that, as well as expanding his game. He really fits what we do in spreading the floor and I'm looking forward to coaching him the next four years."

"I chose Minnesota Crookston because of their style of play, they really let you play" James said. "I really like the coaches and how outgoing they are. I also like the small school, big degree slogan because I wanted to go to a smaller school but you also get a really good education. I bring a high IQ and will be able to spread the ball for the Golden Eagles. I am a team guy and will do anything the coaches want from me to help us win games. I am very excited about coming to Minnesota Crookston and very thankful for the opportunity. I have a chip on my shoulder and am ready to win at Minnesota Crookston."

James gives the Golden Eagles a guard, who has a strong outside shot, an ability to get to the rim, and who has good court vision. He joins a backcourt that returns Tyrese Shines (So., G, LaGrange, Ill.), Brian Sitzmann (R-Jr., G, Savage, Minn.), Quintin Winterfeldt (So., G, Waupun, Wis.), and Zach Westphal (R-So., G, West Fargo, N.D.). He is joined in the backcourt by newcomers Darwiche and Channel.

Minnesota Crookston is looking to build on their best three-year stretch in program history, as they have won 10 or more games in each of the last three seasons. The Golden Eagles had their best season in 2018-19 with a program-record 17 wins, and the program's first-ever trip to the Sanford Pentagon for the NSIC/Sanford Health quarterfinals after a win over nationally-renowned program Augustana University. The Golden Eagles have a strong core returning that they are looking to supplement in recruiting.

The student-athlete listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play men's basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Jaylen James (G, 6-1 175, Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview H.S.)
James played for the No. 2 ranked team in Minnesota in Class AAAA, as they posted a 24-4 mark on the year while playing in the South Suburban Conference. James was a 1,000 point scorer for Eastview High School. He averaged 9.1 points per game during the regular season of his senior slate at Eastview. James tallied 19.5 points per tilt in two section playoff games as a senior. As a junior for Eastview, James notched 6.9 points per game in 23 regular-season games. He helped the Lightning to a 10-8 conference record as a junior. He helped the team to the state tournament as a junior. James scored 28 points in a win over Wayzata High School on Dec. 7, 2019. He had 30 points in a section playoff win over Park High School. James had 23 points in a win over Eagan High School Jan. 25, 2019. He added 27 points in a section tournament win over Park High School March 8, 2019. He was a four-year letter winner at Eastview High School. James is a 1,000 point scorer and a three-time All-South Suburban Conference Honorable Mention selection. He helped Eastview High School to a State Tournament appearance.

James is the son of Joey James of Melbourne, Fla., and Jena James of Apple Valley, Minn. He plans to major in sports and rec management at Minnesota Crookston. James was born Sept. 7, 2001. His father, Joey James, was the head coach at Concordia-St. Paul from 2014-19 and University of South Dakota for the 2013-14 season. James is currently an assistant at Florida Tech. His father played basketball at University of South Dakota.