Why NC State women’s basketball star Aziaha James carries her ‘superhero’ on her back
A tattooed image of a man’s face peeks out from underneath the back of Aziaha James’ red N.C. State basketball jersey, on her left shoulder blade. It’s not obvious; you have to be looking for it.
The image is a not-so-subtle tribute to a man James calls her family’s “superhero”: her brother, Ashley “AJ” James, who died four and a half years ago at age 19 after an accidental shooting near their Virginia hometown.
Aziaha, then 17, witnessed it.
Paramedics tried to save him, but AJ died of a gunshot wound to the chest. No charges were filed, because it was an accident with no criminal intent, according to reports after the incident.
It’s been 55 months — more than 1,650 days — since that night. Everything Aziaha does is in honor of her brother.
“He’d be proud of me, because when we were young, we always just talked about how we were going to have the spotlight,” she said. “Being the underdog, we always talked about being in a league and stuff. All the things that I accomplished for him, for myself, I think he’s very proud of me.”
A family’s ‘superhero’
Not a day that goes by when LaToya Jackson doesn’t think about her son — or the void his death left in her family.
Jackson is the proud mother of AJ, Aziaha and their eldest brother, Isaiah Macer. All three played basketball, with Aziaha following in her brothers’ footsteps. She learned just about everything from them.
AJ had a goofy sense of humor and natural basketball skills she often emulated. Isaiah wasn’t as naturally gifted, LaToya said, but taught her about hard work. They both showed her humility and competition; she always wanted to one-up them.
“Everything was just, ‘Anything you can do, I can do better,’” Jackson said.
Jackson remembers the days of her children playing in the yard or having one-on-one basketball games in the driveway. They always wanted to be better, but weren’t ones to get upset with each other, either.
She carted them all around the country to compete in the sport they loved, making it to nearly every event. Other parents asked her how she did it. Jackson just made it work.
AJ and Jackson were in attendance when Aziaha helped lead Virginia Beach’s Princess Anne High School to its 12th region championship in 14 years. They were together hours before his death.
Jackson thought she’d have two college athletes’ schedules to juggle: AJ was committed to Missouri State when he died. He had several offers from other schools, including South Florida, Fresno State and VCU.
“He was the superhero of my family. We’re still healing from it,” Jackson said. “The only thing we can do is continue to uplift our own spirits and know that everything is going to be OK.”
Community support helped the family cope
Aziaha credits their Virginia Beach community for helping the family heal. It continues to provide support through an annual benefit game between Green Run and Lake Taylor high schools. All proceeds go to players on each team, helping provide uniforms, backpacks and other essentials they may need.
Both head coaches told local media in November the game is a way to continue AJ’s legacy and plan to keep playing the benefit game.
“That was hard for my family, but our community stuck together. They just stood by us, they loved us, and they embraced us,” Aziaha said. “It was a hard death but the community that was around us made it more (about) embracing life instead of sadness.”
N.C. State head coach Wes Moore and several players contacted Aziaha directly after her brother’s death. Four days after the accident, Aziaha played in the Virginia Class 5 state quarterfinals and scored 41 points en route to a victory. Members of the Florida coaching staff called Jackson to express condolences and attended the game, without wearing Gators gear.
“We’re wearing our street clothes because we’re here to support,” Jackson recalled Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley saying. “We’re not here to promote our school. We’re not here to recruit. We’re here to support as a family.”
Those were the only two programs, according to Jackson, who expressed their condolences — even though Aziaha hadn’t made a choice about her recruitment — and illustrated their values.
“Because they reached out to her, that meant a whole lot to her in that aspect,” Jackson said.
‘This is my school’
Coach Moore sat on the stage at ACC Tipoff on Oct. 8, red lights illuminating the room and the Tuffy logo projected onto the backdrop. He reached in front of Saniya Rivers to fist bump Aziaha, both with big grins.
Moore jokingly said Rivers and Madison Hayes were “led astray” when they initially went to other programs before transferring to the Wolfpack, whereas Aziaha committed to the program and stayed her entire career.
Jackson remembers it being an easy choice. The family had three official visits lined up — to Pitt, Virginia Tech and N.C. State — plus interest from approximately 20 other schools.
When Aziaha stepped on campus, shortly before the pandemic shutdown, she knew Raleigh would be her home away from home. Jackson reminded her daughter they had other visits lined up and more options to evaluate, but Aziaha wouldn’t hear it.
“This is it.”
“I don’t wanna go.”
“This is my school.”
“There was nothing I could do,” Jackson said.
Aziaha made it official in May 2020.
That doesn’t mean her career has been free of bumps. The Virginia native averaged 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 9.5 minutes in 25 games played during her freshman year. They knew she probably wouldn’t play much as a rookie, but they hoped she’d have a shot at a starting job as a sophomore.
Aziaha came off the bench in 26 of 32 games her second year and averaged 6.8 points and 2.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Jackson felt like Moore should have given her daughter more opportunities to show her abilities sooner. Her role did not grow until a few teammates sustained injuries.
Then, during Aziaha’s six-game stretch as a starter, her averages increased to 10.2 points, 4.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. While Jackson did not hope for any players to get hurt, she said her daughter took advantage of the additional minutes.
The two had a tough conversation last summer about Aziaha’s future at N.C. State. She remained committed to the program, her coach and believed her time was coming.
‘My brother lives with me’
Fast forward about eight months. Aziaha came off the court at the Moda Center, the clock winding down as the Wolfpack secured the NCAA Tournament Portland 4 Regional Championship, sending the team to the Final Four.
Aziaha leapt into Moore’s arms for a hug. Jackson cried as she watched the celebration ensue.
“I was definitely thinking of my brother, and just what I’d done for him,” she said. “And, also coach Moore; just being a second dad for me. To get him his first Final Four, it was just a happy moment for him and for (my family), too.”
Aziaha led the team in scoring last season, racking up 637 total points and averaging 16.8 points per game. She also earned Most Outstanding Player for the tournament regional and All-ACC first team recognition.
If she could, Aziaha would tell AJ how much she loves him and that they did it. Together.
“My brother lives with me, and he helps me every day,” James said. “I feel like once you see someone lose their life, it makes you think, ‘Life is short.’”
Life is short and, in a way, so is James’ college career. It will be over before she knows it. The preseason polls are out — N.C. State is No. 9 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll, and was picked to finish second in the ACC — and games start in two weeks.
In life, AJ taught her how to be fearless and resilient. In death, Aziaha learned to be grateful for every day and remain focused on her goals.
And while nothing is guaranteed, one thing is for certain: AJ has her back as she approaches her final season.
