PORTLAND, Ore. - All-NWAC player Daniel James has signed with NCAA Division I program Central Connecticut State University.

The 6-8 forward from Bologna, Italy takes his talents to the east coast, where he joins a Devils team that went 25-7 during the 2024-25 season, and 14-2 in the Northeast Conference.

James participated in 30 games and made 22 starts for the Panthers. He led the team with 10.9 rebounds per game and was second on the squad in scoring at 14.2 points per game. James played 24.6 minutes per game and shot 58.2 percent from the floor overall, while converting 17-of-51 (.333) of three-point attempts. Defensively, James totaled 37 steals and 26 blocked shots. James scored in double-figures in nine straight games to close the season, including a personal-high of 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting along with 21 rebounds in 29 minutes at Mount Hood. James grabbed 10+ rebounds in 15 contests and had seven games with two or more blocked shots. He helped the Panthers advance to the NWAC Elite Eight, going 20-10 overall and 12-4 in the region, while winning a NWAC South Region championship. Following the season, James earned Northwest Athletic Conference All-Region First Team honors and he was named NWAC All-Academic.

"I arrived in Portland almost two years ago. It's been a long journey to get to where I am today," said James. "It all started when my relatives gave me the opportunity to continue my studies and pursue my dream of becoming a professional basketball player by moving to the United States. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I knew I had to take it. When I first arrived, I didn't know much about college basketball, and I knew even less about the process of getting admitted into college. That's how I ended up enrolling at Portland Community College. For someone like me, it was the perfect place to start: close to home, with a high acceptance rate and a supportive environment. Unfortunately, I had to redshirt my first year due to a knee injury. But I used that time to really work on my self and get better for the following year. Even though adapting to a new environment was challenging, Coach Mitchell and the rest of the athletic staff kept believing in me and the work I was putting in. Today, after a strong season, I'm proud to say that all that hard work and resilience has paid off. I've officially committed to Central Connecticut State University, a Division I program. I'm incredibly grateful to my family and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. This is just the beginning, and I'm excited for what's ahead."