The fallout around Jizzle James has taken a sharp and messy turn, and now his father, NFL Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, is stepping in with a blunt warning.
Edgerrin James said his son is battling substance abuse and asked people to stop giving him money or anything of value. In a social media post, he wrote, “Jizzle is dealing with substance abuse and is NOT in the right state of mind right now,” and urged fans to “show him LOVE - but DO NOT give him money, valuables, or anything material.”
He made the point even more directly: “You’re not helping him by feeding the problem. He wants/needs for NOTHING.”
The elder James added, “Give him a hug, give him encouragement, give him love. THAT’S IT.”
He also wrote, “Be patient with him. We’re fighting for him, not against him.”
The statement comes after a chaotic stretch for the former Cincinnati basketball player. Jizzle James was removed from the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball program in the summer of 2025 because of undisclosed “personal issues,” then returned in the middle of the 2025-26 season and finished the year with the Bearcats. After that, he entered the NCAA transfer portal, committed to Charlotte, and then left the 49ers in August 2026 before playing a game.
Once he departed Charlotte, James began posting cryptically on Instagram, teased a return to Cincinnati, and pushed his own merchandise. That led Cincinnati to send him a cease-and-desist letter making clear he could no longer use the school’s name, logos, uniforms, jerseys or other likenesses, and that he could not suggest he was coming back.
The school’s message said, “As you are no longer a member of the University of Cincinnati men’s basketball program, you are no longer authorized to use, represent, or commercially promote the University of Cincinnati basketball program, including the use of the University’s name, logos, uniforms, jerseys, or other team-related likenesses,”
It continued: “Any sale, advertisement, or distribution of University of Cincinnati basketball jerseys or merchandise representing you as a current player is strictly prohibited.”
And the letter added: “Additionally, you may not publish, share, or promote any social media posts, advertisements, or other communications suggesting or stating that you are returning to play for the University of Cincinnati basketball program. Effective immediately, all public or commercial representations implying your current affiliation with the program must cease.”
James responded by posting a screenshot of the letter and firing back with profanity: “I have my own merch I made. I don’t need y’all jerseys, and f*** Cincinnati for all I care,”
Jizzle James played for Cincinnati from 2023-26 and appeared in 95 games for the program.
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