Aziaha James, a 5’10” guard for the NC State Wolfpack in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She attended Princess Anne High School, where she led her team to four consecutive state titles.
Her older brother, Ashley “AJ” James, was also a promising basketball player in Virginia Beach. He earned All-State honors twice and was named the region and district player of the year as a senior. After graduating, he signed with Missouri State but then spent a year working on his game at Hargrave Military Academy.
He was named MVP three times in a single game at the VirginiaPreps Classic, scoring 26 points, the only player to achieve this.
Aziaha James’ Brother, AJ James, Tragically Dies After Accidental Gunshot
On March 2, 2020, AJ died in Chesapeake, Va., at the age of 19 after accidentally shooting himself. It was a tragic loss.
Earlier that night, he had watched his sister play in the regional title game. Later, at an apartment in the 600 block of Montauk Lane in Chesapeake, he was playing with a gun when it suddenly went off, hitting him in the chest, according to multiple reports. He was later pronounced dead.
The Chesapeake Police Department thoroughly investigated the incident. After consulting with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, officials determined the death to be accidental.
As a result, no one was charged with a criminal offense in connection with his death.
Aziaha shared tributes to her brother on Instagram, writing, “I’m at a lost of words right now …… can’t even wrap this all around my head to think my brother is gone😞 I was just with him last night him hugging me telling me good game my whole family joking around with each other.
“I haven’t seen my brother and over two months and last night was the first time just feel so unreal to ever think my brother is gone ..💔 this king the goat taught me everything I remember watching him play when we was young and I turned to my mom and said can I play.”
Since her brother’s death, Aziaha has openly discussed how it has impacted her life and basketball career.
In an interview with The News & Observer on March 31, 2024, she said of a game, “I was definitely thinking of my brother, and just what I’d done for him. And, also coach [Wes] Moore; just being a second dad for me. To get him his first Final Four, it was just a happy moment for him and for [my family], too.”
In another interview with Andscape on April 4, 2024, she stated, “I’m going to always talk to myself and talk to my brother. I hear him saying, ‘Come on, you got this. You got the next play.’ He says to let that 3 go, and I let it go in my last game.”
Despite everything, AJ continues to have an impact on the basketball court, with his family, and in the stories that are shared.
In a March 2024 interview, Aziaha reflected on her brother’s influence, stating, “It motivated me to play harder. I’m playing for something. When you’re playing for something, it makes you even more hungry.” This drive was evident as she played a pivotal role in leading NC State to the Final Four in 2024, their first appearance since 1998.
A tattoo on her left shoulder blade serves as a tribute to her brother.