July 12, 2006

Former Duke Mike James, considered the top guard available in the NBA free-agent market, has agreed to a four-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves according to The Associated Press. James, a first-team All-Atlantic 10 guard for the Dukes in 1998, averaged a career-best 20.3 points per game for the Toronto Raptors this past season.

James, 31, who went undrafted following his final season at Duquesne, began his NBA career as a free agent with Miami in 2001-02. He spent half of the 2003-04 season with the Boston Celtics prior to being traded to Detroit where he played an important role on the Pistons World Championship team. James continued his career with Milwaukee and Houston in 2004-05, before his breakout season with the Raptors last season.

In his first full season as a starter, James ranked fourth in the league in 3-point shooting (44 percent) and 11th in 3-pointers made (169). He also averaged 5.8 assists per game.

James will be entering his sixth NBA season in 2006-07, tying him with Chuck Cooper for the third-longest NBA career by a Duquesne player. Only Norm Nixon (10 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and San Diego/L.A. Clippers) and Sihugo Green (nine seasons with five different franchises) have had longer NBA careers.