After months away from the hardwood, Jizzle James is officially back with the Cincinnati Bearcats-and his return comes just in time for Wednesday’s matchup against Alabama State.
James, the dynamic point guard from Florida, had been away from the program since August while handling a personal matter. During that time, he stirred up plenty of conversation with a series of cryptic social media posts, including one that showed a message exchange with his agent where he expressed interest in transferring. That post alone had Bearcats fans buzzing, unsure if they’d ever see James in a Cincinnati uniform again.
But while James was away from the team, he never fully stepped away from the university. He stayed enrolled at Cincinnati and continued taking online classes while training in Houston, Texas.
His return to campus came quietly, just before the Bearcats faced off against Louisville earlier in the season. Head coach Wes Miller acknowledged James had been using team facilities but stopped short of confirming his official status with the roster at the time.
Still, the signs were there. James was spotted in the stands during Cincinnati’s win over Tarleton State and later seen on the bench alongside injured forward Jalen Haynes during the Bearcats’ game against Georgia in Atlanta. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to spark hope that a return might be on the horizon.
Initially, the expectation was that James would redshirt this season-a move that would allow him to preserve a year of eligibility while continuing to develop behind the scenes. But plans change. Now, with the Bearcats deep into their non-conference slate and gearing up for Big 12 play, James is set to rejoin the active roster and contribute on the court.
For Cincinnati, this is more than just a roster boost. James brings a unique mix of speed, court vision, and scoring ability that can change the tempo of a game.
He’s a playmaker who can create for others and isn’t afraid of the spotlight. With conference play looming, his return adds another weapon to Wes Miller’s rotation-and potentially shifts the ceiling for what this Bearcats team can accomplish this season.
All eyes will be on James when he steps back onto the floor Wednesday night. After months of uncertainty, he’s suiting up again. And for Cincinnati, that could make all the difference.