A nameplate in one hand, a future in the other. Aziaha James stood alongside Saniya Rivers and Madison Hayes after NC State’s Sweet 16 exit—taking one last photo with Coach Wes Moore. In that moment, surrounded by teammates-turned-family, the curtain fell on one of the most successful runs in Wolfpack history. And yet, for James, the real show might just be beginning. 

Before the final buzzer in Spokane, Washington, James had already etched her legacy into the hardwood.

A four-year cornerstone of the Wolfpack’s backcourt, she helped the team amass 100+ wins, reach the Elite Eight (2022), Final Four (2024), and Sweet 16 (2025), while claiming a share of this season’s ACC regular season title. James led the team in scoring for two straight years, finishing her senior campaign with 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Coach Wes Moore said it best:

“(Hayes) four years, (James) four years and (Rivers) three years have represented this program unbelievably, both on the court and off… So couldn’t be prouder of ’em. Love ’em. We’re going to miss ’em.”

The game will miss them, too—but James is far from done. As the 2025 WNBA Draft looms, one question is on everyone’s mind: Where will Aziaha James land next?

What are the top landing spots for Aziaha James in the 2025 WNBA Draft?

A 5-foot-10 guard from Virginia Beach, James is entering the WNBA Draft with All-ACC First Team honors, an AP All-America Honorable Mention, and a spot on the John R. Wooden Award ballot. She’s proven herself as one of the most explosive perimeter scorers in the nation, with a confident stroke from beyond the arc, knocking down 75 and 76 three-pointers in her junior and senior seasons.

Analysts and mock drafts point to several potential fits, but three franchises stand out as ideal homes for the NC State star:

1. Connecticut Sun (8th overall pick – ESPN projection):
The Sun is projected to pick No. 8, right in James’ range. They have been a consistent playoff team, but with veteran guards aging, the backcourt needs a youthful spark. James fits that mold. She’s aggressive, quick in transition, and has matured as a two-way player. The Sun have an eye for polished talent—and James brings both production and poise.

Also, James’ “ability to score alone as a lefty coming off ball screens” could complement Alyssa Thomas’ playmaking, on whom the team’s offense leans heavily.

2. Los Angeles Sparks (16th overall pick – Beyond Women’s Sports):
LA is rebuilding with versatility in mind. James’s ability to shoot, slash, and defend makes her a fit in a dynamic system. With a flair for the dramatic and an edge to her game, she fits the mold of past Sparks greats who played with style and substance.

This fit makes more sense as the Sparks are looking to better their offense. Going 33.3% from beyond the arc and with a goal mark of 42.6%, she could be the missing piece of their puzzle. And well, who knows better than her to deliver under pressure?

3. Washington Mystics (23rd overall pick – Yardbarker projection):
A team searching for scoring depth and youth at the guard position, the Mystics could use James’s microwave scoring. In close games, when defenses clamp down, a bucket-getter like James can tilt momentum—and she’s done just that countless times at NC State. “Aziaha, she can score at all three levels,” said Mystics GM Jamila Wideman, calling her a “great example” of the draft’s athletic talent.

Though her draft stock varies across projections, her skill set gives her the tools to thrive in multiple systems. She’s not just a scorer—she’s a shot creator, a ball-hawk defender, and a player who’s grown each season. 

Aziaha James College Stats: How Good Was the 22-Year-Old with the NC State?

James’s rise wasn’t meteoric—it was methodical. Like a shooter finding her rhythm, she took her time, honed her game, and never stopped working. Ranked just 36th in ESPN’s Top 100 out of high school in 2021, she wasn’t handed hype—she earned respect, bucket by bucket.

In her freshman season, she averaged just 4.2 points, mostly coming off the bench. By her sophomore year, she upped it to 6.8 points and 2.3 assists. Then came the breakout:
2023–24: 16.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.9 APG
2024–25: 17.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.6 APG

She didn’t just put up numbers—she delivered in moments that mattered. In the 2024 NCAA tournament, she earned Most Outstanding Player honors for the Portland 4 Regional, leading NC State to its first Final Four since 1998. The fire in James’s game is deeply personal. Four days after the tragic death of her brother, Ashley “AJ” James in 2020, she dropped 41 points in a state tournament game. That resolve has defined her career.

In April 2024, she joined the Dawg Class—Kelsey Plum’s elite transition camp for college players headed to the WNBA. The 3-day experience, held at IMG Academy, sharpened her pro readiness. She walked in with confidence and walked out with purpose.

Now, just days away from draft night in New York City, James is set to join a class headlined by Paige Bueckers, Kiki Iriafen, Hailey Van Lith, and Aneesah Morrow. But make no mistake—Aziaha James isn’t there to blend in. She’s there to make noise.