Bouncing back
Christian James was supposed to be the heir apparent to Buddy Hield last season but he sputtered, shooting just 36 percent from the field. This season, he is shooting 51 percent from the floor and 44 percent from behind the 3-point line.
MANHATTAN, KAN. — Christian James put on his red Oklahoma road uniform Tuesday and thought about last season.
His number — the white “0” on the chest and back of the jersey was a reminder of that.
He slipped on his white Nikes and got another reminder of his motivation, “This game won’t last forever so play it like it’s your last” written across the toes of the shoes in black ink.
Then atop the band with those words “King” on his left shoe and “James” on the right.
It’s a reminder through James’ favorite player growing up — LeBron James — at the fleeting nature of the sport, while also giving notice to the bulldog mentality with which this James — Christian — has attacked this season.
“I always try to keep that mentality that you’re a king and nobody can guard you,” James said before Tuesday’s game at Kansas State.
James was supposed to be the heir apparent to Buddy Hield as the primary offensive option a year ago, but he sputtered, shooting just 36 percent from the field and 34 percent from behind the 3-point line, averaging 7.9 points per game.
This season, James is averaging 12.1 points per game, but more importantly shooting 51 percent from the floor and 44 percent from behind the 3-point line —best on the team for a player with more than six attempts.
Early on in Tuesday’s 87-69 loss, James’ transformation was apparent once again, as he had five rebounds, two assists and a steal in the game’s first 15 minutes.
He finished with eight points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Last March 9, the day after Oklahoma’s season ended with an 82-63 loss to TCU at the Big 12 Tournament and James’ sophomore season ended with a dud — a 1-for-5 shooting performance where he missed his only two 3-point attempts — James went back to work.
At 9 a.m. that day, James was in the practice gym at Lloyd Noble Center, hoisting shots.
“It was a fun day,” James said. “I was in here for awhile. I got up and got some breakfast, came in here, got the radio and I just started off shooting free throws.”
From there, James moved around the court firing off shot after shot from all points.
“I shot about 1,000 shots that day,” he said. “Right after the season. No breaks, no nothing. I got right to it.”
It was something James needed to do to cleanse himself of the forgettable year that won’t soon be forgotten.
“I was depressed,” James said of last season. “I would say I lost my confidence in myself. I wanted a new start.”
So James went to work to make over his shot and his game and move away from the reminders of that season — beginning with the No. 3 that he’d worn for his first two seasons.
“I don’t want to go back to those days,” James said. “Just remembering sitting there and not being able to help my team — I just want to be able to do all I can to help this team.”