Marquette lands tough New York guard for second commitment to 2025 recruiting class

The Marquette men's basketball team has its second commitment in the 2025 class.

Nigel James, a 6-foot-1 point guard, announced his decision to play for the Golden Eagles on Tuesday in a live YouTube video with 247Sports.

James picked MU over Rutgers and Georgia Tech. He joins Ian Miletic, a 6-7 forward from Rolling Meadows High School in Illinois, in the Golden Eagles' 2025 class.

"I'm a winner," James told 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein. "Someone that's going to play hard all the time. That's here to win for their team. Someone that's going to push everybody. Just someone that's a winner."

What is the scouting report on Nigel James?

James looks like the kind of point guard that MU head coach Shaka Smart likes: a tough, on-ball defender and strong leader with athleticism to attack the basket.

The native of Glen Head, New York, also plays on a highly successful prep team at Long Island Lutheran. The school competes against other top teams in the nation in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League. James plays AAU for Expressions Elite, which is currently competing for the EYBL championship at Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia.

Long Island Lutheran boasted a strong roster with V.J. Edgecombe, who will play at Baylor next season and is a likely top-5 pick in next summer's NBA draft, and Kiyan Anthony, son of former NBA star Carmelo, as well as other high-major recruits.

In Long Island Lutheran's 12 EYBL Scholastic League games, James averaged 11.9 points, shot 18 for 41 (44%) on three pointers and handed out a team-high 51 assists.

James is the No. 88 recruit in the 2025 class in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Marquette offered James a scholarship in 2023

MU offered James a scholarship in April 2023. He made an official visit to Milwaukee in October.

The Golden Eagles coaching staff has watched James play in several events across the nation. Smart was in Georgia last weekend to watch James at the Peach Jam.

"Very humbling and a great opportunity to have a great experience like this," James told 247Sports.