The situation around Jizzle James has moved far beyond a simple transfer story.
What started as a messy split with Cincinnati has now turned into a public back-and-forth, a cease-and-desist letter, and a statement from his father, NFL Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, saying his son is battling substance abuse and is “NOT in the right state of mind right now.”
James’ path through the last year has been anything but straightforward. He was removed from the Cincinnati basketball program in the summer of 2025 because of undisclosed “personal issues,” then brought back 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 ever appearing in a game.
Once he departed Charlotte, James began posting cryptic messages on Instagram. He also teased a return to Cincinnati and promoted his own merchandise, which led the university to send him a formal cease-and-desist letter.
The school made its position clear in writing: “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,” the message read. “Any sale, advertisement, or distribution of University of Cincinnati basketball jerseys or merchandise representing you as a current player is strictly prohibited.
Get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! “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 at the school. “I have my own merch I made. I don’t need y’all jerseys, and f*** Cincinnati for all I care,” James said in response.
Then came the statement from Edgerrin James, who urged people to approach his son with compassion but not with cash or gifts. “Jizzle is dealing with substance abuse and is NOT in the right state of mind right now,” the elder James posted on social media.
“If you see him, show him LOVE - but DO NOT give him money, valuables, or anything material. “You’re not helping him by feeding the problem.
He wants/needs for NOTHING. “Give him a hug, give him encouragement, give him love.
THAT’S IT.” “Be patient with him.
We’re fighting for him, not against him.”
Jizzle James played for Cincinnati from 2023-26 and appeared in 95 games for the program. For now, Cincinnati has made it clear it is done with any connection to him, and there is no return coming.
In Other News...
Brad Marchand Is Already Stirring Drama Around The Brady Tkachuk Trade
With Brady Tkachuk now in Florida, the Ottawa Senators are sorting through what comes next at captain, and Brad Marchand is already finding a way to make himself part of the conversation. The Panthers forward popped up in social media comments tied to the leadership discussion, and the exchange quickly drew attention because it landed right on one of the most delicate subjects in Ottawa this spring.
Tim Stutzle addressed the remark by brushing it aside, saying he does not care and still respects Marchand as a player. Drake Batherson, who knows Marchand well as a teammate and neighbor, also weighed in by pointing to this sort of behavior as nothing new, which only added another layer to a storyline the Senators probably would have preferred to keep internal. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Fans Just Got A Painful Reminder About Sergei Bobrovsky
Sergei Bobrovskys name is back in the spotlight for Panthers fans, and not in a way that makes the offseason sting any less. After Toronto signed the veteran goalie to a three-year contract, Aleksander Barkov spent some time at the NHL Player Media Tour reflecting on what Bobrovsky meant during their years together in Florida, offering a reminder of how much the goaltender shaped the Panthers rise.
Barkov praised Bobrovskys leadership, work ethic and the example he set in the room, noting the impact he had both on and off the ice. For a team that leaned on him through a long run together, those comments only reinforce how much Florida is losing in the rearview mirror, even if the full measure of that partnership is still the kind of thing Panthers fans will keep revisiting. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Have Found A Late Pick Worth Watching Closely
The Panthers may have landed a late-round forward worth keeping on the radar in Cole Zurawski, who was taken in the sixth round of the 2026 NHL Draft after a productive season with the Owen Sound Attack. He finished with 24 goals and 22 assists in 63 games, the kind of numbers that tend to draw more attention from a team willing to mine value outside the top of the draft.
Zurawski has already gotten a look at Florida's development camp, which gives the organization an early chance to see how his game translates beyond junior hockey. His path is still at the beginning stages, and with a future at Notre Dame already mapped out, the bigger question for the Panthers is how much more he can grow before the club has to start thinking seriously about where he fits in their pipeline. [Read more 🡒]