James grew up in Chesapeake, VA twenty minutes away from the beach where he came to love the sport of volleyball. His love for the sport brought him to Marymount University where he competed on their NCAA program all four years and earned a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. While at Marymount, James volunteered in the biochemistry lab where he worked to publish a paper on protein interactions in the brain. James finished his time at Marymount volunteering for VITAS, the nation's leading home healthcare company, where he furthered his passion for helping people who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases.

Outside of academics, James worked as a Resident Assistant for freshman guys and served as a student leader for a campus ministry, Cru. James looks to continue his education and become a Physician Assistant with a special interest in neuroscience due to his history of research and relationship with his grandmother who passed away after suffering from dementia.

Some of James' favorite hobbies are reading, grabbing coffee with a friend, and of course, playing volleyball.