Per Duke Comms:
Duke men’s basketball guard Sion James has been honored as a member of the inaugural Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Winter), recognizing 20 standout student-athletes across collegiate winter sports for their exceptional achievements in community service, athletics and academics, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Allstate announced on Wednesday.
James, a graduate student from Sugar Hill, Georgia, launched the Sion James Foundation to serve people and strengthen communities by removing barriers to social advancement, setting an example of service and philanthropy, and partnering with like-minded organizations to multiply the collective impact. Current programming provides supplies for K-12 students in Durham, while enhancing their personal development through formal and informal mentorship.
Since arriving at Duke in the summer of 2024, James has established himself as a powerful force in the Durham community. He created the One-4-All Toy Drive to benefit children in need in Durham, collecting 1,800 toys for kids during the holiday season, and teamed up with non-profit Samaritan’s Feet to provide 4,000 underserved people in Durham with a new pair of shoes. In the classroom, James earned a 3.76 grade point average in his first semester at Duke.
James transferred to Duke from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he achieved Dean’s List merit every semester, was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma honor society for student-athletes and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management from the Freeman School of Business. He was a recipient of the Tulane 34 Award, presented to 34 graduates who distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate life through exemplary leadership, service and academic excellence. In addition, James was a recipient of the Freeman School of Business Dean’s Service Award and the Newcomb-Tulane College Student-Athlete Award, having completed nearly 350 hours of community service. As a two-time chair of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, he created community service opportunities for all 450 Tulane student-athletes. James also became the first player to win the AAC Sportsmanship Award twice, earning the distinction in both 2023 and 2024.
James’s spirit for giving to others was sparked when serving as co-CEO for Ryan’s Giving Tree, a non-profit organization that positively impacts the health, wealth, and housing of its local communities. He oversaw the outreach unit, where volunteers purchased and collected food, drinks, clothes, and supplies to distribute to the homeless citizens. He also spearheaded the operations for the mutual aid unit, working to move citizens off the streets and into permanent housing. Additionally, he partnered with Samaritan’s Feet International to distribute 150 pairs of shoes to the residents and clients of Ozanam Inn, one of the longest standing homeless shelters in New Orleans.
On the hardwood, James, who was voted to the 2024-25 ACC All-Defensive Team, ranks second in ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.6) as a starting guard for No. 1 Duke. During the regular season, he averaged 8.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The Blue Devils have a record of 23-1 with James in the starting lineup.
This marks the first expansion of the Good Works Team to include student-athletes from all collegiate sports and divisions. The final team was voted on by the program’s selection committee from an impressive pool of nearly 200 nominees nationwide. These student-athletes represent nine winter sports and five collegiate divisions, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of student-athletes in their communities.
The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team builds on the legacy of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, which has honored college football players’ community impact since 1992. Now expanded to include all sanctioned national championship sports, the initiative will recognize 60 student-athletes annually across fall, winter and spring seasons.
“These student-athletes embody the best of collegiate athletics—not just in competition, but in leadership, service and impact,” said Elizabeth Brady, Allstate’s chief marketing, customer and communications officer. “From youth empowerment to mental health advocacy, their work changes lives.”
The full team roster and their inspiring stories can be found on the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team website.
“NACDA is honored to collaborate with Allstate to expand the Good Works Team program and recognize student-athletes across all sports and all divisions,” said Pat Manak, NACDA’s chief executive officer. “This initiative provides a national platform for our members to shine a light on the positive and inspirational stories happening at all levels of intercollegiate athletics during a pivotal time in our industry. Congratulations to the student-athletes and institutions represented on the inaugural Winter Team, and we look forward to continuing the process in the seasons to come.”
The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team will spotlight student-athletes’ service throughout the year, with upcoming teams for spring and fall sports.
