By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Unhearlded out of high school, big star in college
For most people, having the flu means knocking two weeks out of their schedule and making an appointment with their bed.
For UA freshman forward Veranda James, it means pouring in 24 points and 16 rebounds in only her fourth regular season game as a member of the UA women's basketball team.
"Once you're on the court, the adrenaline rushes so you don't think about how sick you are," said James, who has been slowed by the flu.
Despite sickness, the freshman is making college basketball look like child's play and has already made a tremendous impact for the Wildcats.
"The game is totally different than high school," James said. "It is more up-tempo. College basketball is a whole other game. You have to work hard to be a good college basketball player."
UA head coach Joan Bonvicini has had nothing but good things to say about James, who is fast becoming one of the Wildcats' top performers in the young season.
"She's very humble, a hard worker, and has a great attitude," Bonvicini said. "She is extremely hard working in practice and is very deserving (of her playing time)."
Bonvicini may be more impressed with the freshman's study habits.
"She's an excellent student who has her head on her shoulders," Bonvicini said. "Just to have her at Arizona as a student would be wonderful, but then you have a great kid who has a lot going for her."
A trip to Arizona almost didn't happen for James though.
Although James averaged 32.4 points, 17.2 rebounds, and 5.2 blocks per game in her final season high school, the Pomona, Calif., native wasn't heavily scouted until late in her senior year.
"She was asked to play in all these all-star and travel teams but she did not want to do it," Bonvicini said. "I was at a tournament this summer and the coach of the team she was supposed to play for - I was recruiting a few of their players and the coach said, Joan, the best player in California is not here.
"I'm a pretty good listener. She told me her name was Veranda James from Ganesha High and I was going crazy trying to find her."
Bonvicini capitalized on the information she found out and sent her assistant coaches to go scout the forward.
"I sent my assistant out to a tournament and there she was - we were all over it," Bonvicini said. "We brought her to commit early."
James - who committed early - has become an impact player so far this season. If the freshman continues her successful ways, the Wildcats could be in a position to compete for the Pacific 10 Conference title.
