Kai James Signs With FSU

posted on: seminoles.com –

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – Florida State women’s basketball head coach Sue Semrau announced the signing of four-star prospect and consensus Top-25 recruit Kai James on Wednesday.

James, a 6-5 center from Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is ranked as the 22nd best player in the country, and the No. 3 center in the 2013 signing class by ESPN HoopGurlz.

Additionally, James is rated as the country’s eighth-best player by National Basketball Insider, No. 12 by All Star Girls Report, No. 19 by Full Court and No. 23 by the Blue Star Basketball Report.

Semrau expects the young post player to immediately contribute next season and be a force in the paint in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“I’ve watched Kai for a number of years and been extremely impressed with her growth as a player,” Semrau said. “We’re extremely excited about her joining the Seminole family. She’s a gold medalist, she’s an All-America-type player, and she has the ability to be one of the best post players we’ve ever had here at Florida State. I can’t wait for Kai to start her career here.”

James won a gold medal in August with Team USA at the FIBA Under-17 World Championships in Amsterdam, making her international debut and averaging 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. James, who was compared to WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Sylvia Fowles by HoopGurlz, competes for the Miami Suns on the AAU circuit.

James averaged 12.1 ppg, 13.4 rpg and 3.4 bpg as a junior in 2011-12, leading Dwyer to a 23-5 record. As a sophomore, she tallied 12.0 ppg, 15.8 rpg and 5.2 bpg as Dwyer went 22-7. She was a Florida Association of Basketball Coaches Class 8A All-State selection in 2011-12.