Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Josiah-Jordan James 1-on-1 Interview (May 31, 2024)

Indiana Pacers Pre-Draft Workouts: Josiah-Jordan James 1-on-1 Interview (May 31, 2024)

jiah how the workout go today I think it went very well uh I was able to Showcase my versatility on on both ends of the floor my shot making ability but also my leadership ability being able to to play multiple roles and connect people on both ends of the floor what’s your biggest Focus during this process my biggest focus is uh just trying to get better every day you know whether it be whatever I’m working on that day but just trying to get one One Step better keep putting the one foot in front of the other and just uh making progress each and every day played a bunch of different roles at ten you’re asked to adapt kind of depending on what the team needed how do you think that help prepared you for the next level man Tennessee uh is second to none coach Barnes and his staff over my 5 years there have have definitely helped me and I wouldn’t be in this position without them but you know like I said my versatility I felt like I put that on full display today and you know I had to like you said had to play a lot of different roles but the people there and the coaches have helped me develop into the player that I am today how did Coach Barnes help you the most my thing is IID say if you can play for Coach Barnes you can play for anybody and so just how demanding he was and how consistent he was and you know he always required the best out of each and every one of us I I really you know some days were better than others it was easier to to take hard coaching uh on some days but you know it it’s helped me be in this position and you know the way he’s just poured into me has been second to none and I I appreciate him more than he knows you accomplished so much during your time in college what are you most proud of man uh just the relationships I’ve been able to build build um Tennessee all throughout the community is is it’s amazing I’m a evolve for life and I hold that near and dear to my heart for for the rest of my life but just the people that I’ve been able to interact with and the relationships I’ve been able to build what role do you see yourself playing at the next level yeah I just want to be uh somebody who’s a winner but uh on both ends of the FL I want to be a three and D type of player I I can see myself carving out a role in that area but wherever I go I just want to you know impact winning and and be a good locker room guy I know you went to high school with there Smith he was here watching your workout today what was it like in the chance to catch up with Aaron man it was awesome I’m so proud of him and all the success he’s been able to have you know he’s he’s done so well for himself but you know I’ve known Aon since I was in sixth grade and so it doesn’t surprise me all the success that he’s been able to have his work ethic has always been second to none and I’m just proud of him and you know him to take a some some time out of his busy schedule his busy day to come watch me it means a lot that’s my that’s my brother for life

Tennessee forward Josiah-Jordan James spoke with Pacers.com’s Wheat Hotchkiss about his biggest focus during the pre-draft process, his development during college with Coach Rick Barnes and catching up with his former high school teammate, Aaron Nesmith. Pacers draft coverage is presented by NerdWallet.