It was late March in 2025. The air in Lexington was thick with that specific brand of tension you only get during an NCAA Tournament game at Rupp Arena. James Scott, the 6-foot-11 jumping jack from Fayetteville, stood in the paint, his jersey soaked with sweat. He’d just finished a season where he basically turned the KFC Yum! Center into his own personal flight deck.
Honestly, if you didn’t see it live, it’s hard to describe the energy Scott brought to james scott louisville basketball. He wasn't some plodding center who lived for the post hook. He was a lob threat so dangerous that ACC coaches had to change their entire scouting reports. You couldn't just "guard" him; you had to keep him from ever touching the floor.
He didn't stick around, though. That's the part that still stings for a lot of Cards fans. One day he’s the defensive anchor for a 27-8 team, and the next, he’s in the portal.
The Year of the Dunk: Breaking Down the 2024-25 Season
When Pat Kelsey moved from Charleston to Louisville, he brought James Scott with him. It made sense. Scott was the third-youngest player in the country when he started, and Kelsey knew exactly how to use that raw, bouncy athleticism.
Most big men take years to find their rhythm. Scott just jumped over it.
He finished that 2024-25 season with 79 dunks. Think about that for a second. That’s the third-most in a single season in Louisville history. He wasn't just scoring; he was demoralizing people. He shot a staggering 75.5% from the floor overall. If he was within three feet of the rim, the ball was going in, usually with a sound that made the backboard rattle.
His stat line wasn't flashy in a "30 points per game" kind of way, but his impact was massive:
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- 7.1 points per game
- 6.1 rebounds per game
- 1.4 assists (he’s actually a really underrated passer)
- 0.9 blocks per game
But those numbers don't tell you about the "Scott Effect." When Chucky Hepburn or Terrence Edwards Jr. would drive, defenders were terrified to leave Scott. If they stepped up to stop the layup, it was an immediate alley-oop. If they stayed home, it was a layup. It was basically a "pick your poison" situation for every defense in the ACC.
Playing Through the Pain
There’s this narrative that transfer portal guys are only out for themselves. Scott sorta killed that theory.
During the thick of the season, he suffered a facial fracture. Most guys would take a seat for a few weeks. Instead, he slapped on a custom mask and didn't miss a single game. He played all 35. That grit is why he became a cult hero in Louisville so fast. Fans love a guy who can fly, but they respect a guy who plays through a broken face to help his team win 27 games.
The Sudden Exit to Ole Miss
Why did he leave? That’s the question everyone asks.
Louisville was coming off its best season in years. Kelsey had won ACC Coach of the Year. The program was finally back on the map after a few dark years. Then, in May 2025, the news dropped. Scott was headed to Oxford to play for Chris Beard and the Ole Miss Rebels.
It felt like a gut punch. You've got this 6-foot-11 center who just shot the best percentage in the ACC on two-point tries (78.1%), and he’s gone.
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Some people think it was about NIL. Others think it was just a desire for a different role in a different system. Whatever the reason, his departure left a massive hole in Louisville’s frontcourt. Replacing 79 dunks and elite rim protection isn't something you do with a couple of three-star recruits.
What Louisville Lost
When James Scott left, the Cardinals didn't just lose a starter. They lost their "vertical spacing."
In modern basketball, having a guy who can "catch it at the rafters" opens up everything for the guards. Without Scott, the paint became a lot more crowded for the Louisville playmakers. He was the safety valve. If a play broke down, you just threw it toward the square on the backboard and let the big man go get it.
He also brought a level of defensive versatility that’s rare for someone his size. Kelsey once compared him to a young Marcus Camby. He could switch onto guards on the perimeter and actually stay in front of them. You don't realize how much you miss a guy like that until you're watching a slower center get burned on a high pick-and-roll.
Life After Louisville: The Ole Miss Chapter
Now, Scott is up in the SEC, and he’s still doing his thing.
As of early 2026, he’s been a staple for the Rebels. He hasn't changed much—he’s still the guy who shoots 60% or better because he refuses to take bad shots. In a recent game against Alcorn State, he put up 13 points and 11 rebounds in just 16 minutes. That’s vintage James Scott. Max efficiency. Minimum wasted movement.
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He’s still dealing with some injuries—he had an "undisclosed" issue that had him questionable for the Arkansas game recently—but when he's on the floor, he's the same lob threat he was at the Yum! Center.
What Most People Get Wrong About Scott
There's this idea that James Scott is just an athlete. "He's just a dunker," people say.
That's a lazy take.
If you watch the tape from his Louisville days, his basketball IQ is actually pretty high. He knows when to slip a screen. He knows exactly when to rotate on defense to force a tough shot without fouling. And his passing? It’s legit. He averaged 1.4 assists, which doesn't sound like much, but for a "rim runner," it shows he’s looking for his teammates.
He was the fourth-youngest player in Division I when he started at Charleston. He’s still growing into his frame. We haven't even seen the final version of James Scott yet.
Practical Takeaways for Following the Career of James Scott:
- Watch the SEC matchups: If you want to see how his game has evolved, keep an eye on Ole Miss games against high-level interior teams like Tennessee or Auburn. It’s the ultimate test for his rim-running style.
- Focus on the "Off-Ball" movement: Next time you see a highlight, don't just watch the dunk. Watch how he sets the screen and finds the open pocket of space. That’s the "pro" skill that will get him looks from NBA scouts.
- Monitor the health: Since he had that facial fracture at Louisville and now an undisclosed injury at Ole Miss, his durability is the one thing scouts will be watching closely as he approaches his senior year.
- Appreciate the efficiency: James Scott is a masterclass in "knowing your role." He doesn't take threes. He doesn't take contested mid-rangers. He takes high-percentage shots, and that’s a trait every winning team needs.
The story of James Scott and Louisville was short—just one season—but it was arguably the most fun season the program has had in a decade. Whether he's wearing red or Rebel blue, he's still one of the most electric players in college basketball to watch.
Check out his latest game logs on major sports sites to see if he’s back to 100% for the stretch run of the 2026 SEC season. His rebounding numbers are usually the first indicator of whether his explosiveness is fully there.