James Adams is set to enter his fourth season as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Saint Elizabeth University in 2024-25. He brings a championship mindset that he acquired as an SEC athlete at the University of South Carolina to motivate and mentor his student-athletes. During his three-year tenure, Adams has elevated the program to heights it has never seen before including winning the
United East Skye Division Championship and securing the most wins in program history (18) during the 2023-24 season.
The 2023-24 season saw an abundance of firsts for the Eagles Men's Basketball Program. The Eagles came into the season with a great deal of momentum after signing a talented class of newcomers to add to a program-record 13 returning players. The team achieved a program-record 18 wins, smashing the previous high of 13 set by the 2018-19 team under former head coach Tom Wagenblast. Adams also broke program records for conference wins in a season (12) and longest winning streak (5). In a thrilling 65-56 win against Wilson College on February 21, 2024, the Eagles captured the 2024 United East Skye Division championship. The win marked the first championship victory in program history.
Statistically, the Eagles have greatly improved to become a balanced team on both sides of the ball under Coach Adams. Offensively, the Eagles were first the United East Skye Division in field goal percentage, scoring margin, and assists per game. On the defensive end, Saint Elizabeth led the division in blocks per game, field goal percentage defense, and rebound margin.
Tye-Rell Monroe was named a United East First Team All-Conference performer after eclipsing the 1000-point career scoring mark earlier in the season. The junior guard put himself in the top 5 in program history for multiple scoring categories and led the United East in field goal percentage. Senior center
D'Angelo Blackmond was named a United East Second Team All-Conference selection after recording 9 double-doubles. The big man scored over 1000 points and grabbed over 500 rebounds in his career. Junior guard
Jonathan Ramos was also named a United East Second Team All-Conference selection after shooting a blistering 43 percent from the three point line in conference play.
In the 2022-23 season, Adams led the Eagles to their second consecutive CSAC playoff berth. This accomplishment was achieved despite only returning 22% of their scoring from the previous season. Adams’ coaching staff made a diligent effort in recruiting which saw them bring in 12 freshman and 3 transfers to increase the level of talent. The results forecasted a promising future for the Eagles program under Adams’ leadership.
The Eagles boasted a smothering defense that frustrated opponents the entire season. They ranked 8th in the country in blocks per game and were ranked 2nd in the CSAC for overall defensive efficiency. Saint Elizabeth also had six freshman average at least 10 minutes per game, the most in the CSAC.
Individually,
Pierre Harden was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. He was also named an All-CSAC Honorable Mention.
D’Angelo Blackmond became the second Eagle in program history to grab over 500 rebounds in his career. He was recognized as an All-CSAC 2nd Team performer.
In Adams’ inaugural season as head coach (2021-22), Saint Elizabeth had an experienced roster boasting 8 seniors. However, the team had not played the previous season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adams was able to galvanize the team quickly and coached the Eagles to a 4th place conference finish and their first CSAC playoff berth in program history.
Pierre Harden was named Defensive Player of the Year, the first time in program history. He also became the first Eagle in program history to average a double-double for the season.
Adams was announced as the second head coach in the history of the Saint Elizabeth University men's basketball program by director of athletics
Tom Wagenblast on August 3, 2021. He was promoted to Sports Information Director in the fall of 2021.
"We are thrilled to have James join our staff at Saint Elizabeth," said Wagenblast. "He brings a wealth of experience at every level of college basketball, and his New Jersey roots make him an incredible fit."
Adams was previously on the men's basketball staff at the University of Richmond for two seasons as Video Coordinator. He spent the previous four years as an assistant men's basketball coach at Georgian Court University. At Richmond, Adams directed the Spiders basketball video operations while also contributing to player development, opponent scouting and student-athlete recruitment efforts. He worked directly with several Spiders players that are now playing professional basketball in Canada, Cypress, Italy, and the NBA G-League.
Adams and the Spiders reached the NIT Quarterfinals and were ranked as high as 19th in the AP Top 25 during the 2020-21 season, when Richmond finished with a 14-9 record. In his first season with the Spiders in 2019-20, Richmond went 24-7 and 14-4 in conference play to finish second in the Atlantic 10. They were a consensus NCAA tournament team before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancelation of the national tournament in March 2020.
While at Georgian Court, Adams was responsible for individual player development, scouting operations, and overseeing academic progress of each player while also directing the team's recruiting operation and serving as its strength and conditioning coach. He coached four 1000-point scorers during his time with the Lions and was instrumental in the recruitment of the all-time assist leader in school history. During the 2017-18 season, Adams helped Georgian Court to a top-25 national ranking in Defensive Field Goal Percentage as the team's defensive coordinator.
Adams gained professional basketball experience when he served as an assistant coach with the Jersey Express of the American Basketball Association in 2014-2015. In his lone season with the team, they qualified for a Northeast Division playoff appearance. With the Express, Adams helped to coach defense and transition principles. He also assisted with roster management and day-to-day basketball operations.
Adams began his collegiate coaching career at rival program Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Park. He assisted with recruiting, scouting and worked primarily with the team's post players.
While in college, Adams worked as a men's basketball operations intern at Princeton University. He also worked as a compliance intern with the men's basketball program at Seton Hall University.
Adams competed in the long and triple jump at the University of South Carolina. As a part of the Gamecocks track and field team, he was selected to the SEC's Academic Honor Roll following each of his four seasons.
Adams graduated from the number one ranked Honors College in the country at the University of South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Entertainment Management with a minor in Business Administration.
Adams grew up a mere 11 miles away from Saint Elizabeth University in nearby West Orange, NJ. He is one of 3 children born to James and Geniece Adams and one of 3 brothers to compete in track & field at the Division 1 level. He currently resides in Hillside, New Jersey with his wife Brea and daughter Bella.
