Introducing: Christian James

NORMAN — The second subject in our summer get-to-know series for men's basketball is freshman Christian James, a 6-4, 218-pound guard from Houston, Texas, who arrived in Norman in early June with a little extra incentive to showcase his abilities.

That's because James, once a top-100 national prospect and one of the highest-rated players in the Lone Star State who averaged 20.0 points and 8.0 rebounds as a junior at Bellaire High School, sustained a broken tibia in his left leg while planting to go up for a dunk in an AAU game right before his senior year. Now, James, who only saw action in his team's final two contests last year, is adapting to major college basketball while still shaking off some rust and fine-tuning his body and mind.

Asked about the challenge of returning to the court for the playoffs last season, James said: "It was easier than I thought it would be, but at the same time I wasn't ready because I was overweight and I couldn't move laterally as well as I did before the injury. But now I'm back down to my normal weight and I'm quicker, faster and stronger than before. I just have to work on my explosiveness. That's the main thing right now. That and getting back in shape and working on my shot."

James, who has a 10-inch scar from the surgery that resulted in a plate and screws being inserted into his leg, says the fact OU kept recruiting him after his injury was a big reason he picked the Sooners last November. Aiding his decision, he said, were OU's atmosphere, coaches and players, especially fellow Houstonian Khadeem Lattin, who James considers "a brother."

For people who haven't seen James in action on the court, he says he likes to help others and just focuses on winning.

"I'm a slasher but I can also spot up and shoot the 3. I like to make people better. I like to pass more than score, because I know I can score if I want to. I'm an unselfish player. I like to make the right play; make plays that win.

"People kept asking me if I'd be the same when I came back," James continued. "In my head I'm just working hard, thinking I'm going to be even better than I was. I just want to come out here and show them what I can do."

Learn more about Jamesin the embedded video above and in the following Q&A.

GET TO KNOW CHRISTIAN JAMES

Roommate: Rashard Odomes
Interests/Hobbies: video games
Three Words That Describe Me: funny, crazy, loving
Favorite Food: Italian
Least Favorite Food: seafood
Meal I Prepare Most Often: ramen noodles
Best Piece of Advice I've Received: "Stay close to God."
People Wouldn't Believe Me If I Told Them: I've played with Kevin Durant
Celebrity Crush: Paula Patton
Biggest Fear: snakes
Favorite Spot on Campus: the gym
Favorite Coach Kruger Phrase: "Compete!"
Best Job I've Had: worked for a moving company
Favorite Activity as a Child: swimming
Favorite Music Artist: Meek Mill, Drake
I Wish I Was Better At: singing
Favorite NBA Team: Houston Rockets
Favorite Pro Athlete: James Harden
My Sports Hero: my dad
Favorite OU Sport to Watch: football
Focus This Summer: dribbling and shooting
Pregame Ritual: pray
My Autobiography Title Would Be: "The Ups and Downs"
What I Like Most About OU: the people
Advice to Youngsters: "Stay in school and listen to your parents."