Official press release on James

[jimsumner]

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski announced the addition of Nate James to the coaching staff on Tuesday, May 6. The Washington, D.C., native fills the opening created when associate head coach Johnny Dawkins took the head coaching job at Stanford in late April. James joins the staff as an assistant coach after serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach last season.

“Nate is a great addition to our staff,” said Krzyzewski. “He was a valuable member of our program as a player and will be an asset as an assistant coach. His maturity, toughness and dedication to Duke will blend well with the current staff we have in place. I look forward to watching Nate develop and prosper in this role.”

James, a 2001 Duke graduate, scored 1,116 career points as a member of the program from 1996-2001. He helped the Blue Devils to a 71-9 ACC regular season record and is the only player in ACC history with five straight regular season conference titles (he redshirted in 1998 after playing in six games). James, a two-time team captain, played on a pair of Final Four teams, including Duke’s 2001 National Championship squad. As a senior, James averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while helping the Blue Devils to a 35-4 record.

James, an All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive team selection in 2001, played professionally in the United States and overseas from 2002-2007. After being named the Carolinas Basketball League Most Valuable Player in 2003, James spent various parts of the next five seasons playing in the Bosnia, Brazil, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Philippines, Poland and Russia. He was also with the Philadelphia 76ers during their training camp in 2004.

Krzyzewski also announced assistant coaches Steve Wojciechowski and Chris Collins will be promoted to associate head coaches.

“I am excited about the staff we have put together,“ said Krzyzewski. “Steve [Wojciechowski] and Chris [Collins] are outstanding coaches. They are both well deserving and prepared for their new roles.”

Wojciechowski joined the staff for the 1999-2000 season and has helped Duke to six league titles, the 2001 National Championship and a 261-53 record. Collins has been a member of the staff for the past eight seasons with the Blue Devils compiling a 232-48 record, five ACC Tournament championships, four in-season tournament titles and the 2001 National Championship.