Santa Cruz Warriors: Breaking Down the 2017-18 Training Camp Roster

James Southerland

Despite just joining the team last December, James Southerland has become something of a staple with the Santa Cruz Warriors, providing the Sea Dubs with a rather efficient scoring option able to space the floor. The 6-foot-8 forward is also notably skilled at playing multiple positions, having played as the small ball big man in some of last year’s lineups.

Appearing in 35 games for Santa Cruz, Southerland averaged 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 27 minutes on shooting splits of 46.5/39.2/71.7. He’ll be heading into his fifth year as a professional basketball player — his second with the Sea Dubs.

In addition to Alex Hamilton, I also see Southerland taking on more of a leadership role with the Warriors. Not only is he a respected vet that’s played at almost every level of professional basketball — a trait he shares with head coach Aaron Miles — but his familiarity with the Warriors system makes him the ideal candidate to help guide some of the younger G League players.

At 27 years of age, Southerland will be entering what may be his prime. I’m not too sure what to expect from Southerland as he goes into his third year with the G League, but this could very well end up being the most important year of his professional basketball career — and I’m here for it.