Dejza James’ day begins and ends at McKale Center.
Wednesday, it’s by design.
James meets a visitor in front of the arena’s ticket office at 7:40 a.m. The UA women’s basketball player’s next eight hours are a blur of classes, meetings, film work, practices and time — a lot of time — spent in the trainer’s room.
The Star tagged along for the day. Here’s what happened:
8 a.m.
James’ first (and only) class of the day is public relations. She sits into the first row, next to two UA baseball players. The day’s lecture topic is — sports organization and the media — is fitting, given James’ role. The senior forward is averaging 4.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game heading into Friday’s home game against UCLA.
James’ next stop is the Ginny L. Clements Academic Center, across from McKale Center. James meets her academic counselor, Sarah Howard, every week. Howard oversees academics for the UA men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the Wildcats’ gymnastics, men’s and women’s cross country, and softball programs.
James, like most of the women’s basketball team, gets ahead on her credits by taking summer classes. She needs just one class — PR — to graduate.
10 a.m.
Next stop is breakfast at Bear Down Kitchen. The Wildcats get one meal a day as part of their scholarship, and it’s a breakfast buffet. Breakfast is a popular meal: As James eats, athletes from all sports sit at tables, talking and laughing.
A few weeks ago former UA swimmer and seven-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard spoke to the Wildcats’ female athletes. The topic — dealing with stress — resonated.
“When she shared hers, I thought ‘I’m not alone,’” James said. “Other people have a hard time balancing. It’s not just me — we are all struggling here. But, you get used to it. Now, we stay so busy and have no free time. It’s almost scary to think about life without a schedule.”
10:45 a.m.
It’s time for treatment. James receives heat and electric stimulation — “stim” — on her feet. She suffered a season-ending stress fracture in her left foot last year. Her feet have been swelling lately, and James is tying to avoid future injury.
“I’m trying to last as long as I can and get through my senior year,” said James.
UA guards Bria Rice and Taryn Griffey sit in the trainer’s room, getting taped up for practice. Trainer Carisa Raucci calls the UA women “the closest team I have.”
11 a.m.
James exits the training room and takes some extra shots before practice. Three-pointers are her focus: She’s a 27.8 percent 3-point shooter this year. She’s shooting better — 41.2 percent — from the field.
The extra work has paid off. James scored a career-high 18 points and added eight rebounds against Oregon earlier this month. She came off the bench in last Friday’s upset win over rival Arizona State and scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds — all in the first half.
Noon-3 p.m.
The Wildcats review film, run the length of the court a few times and work on offensive and defensive sets for Friday’s game against UCLA.Wednesday’s practice lasts about three hours, a bit shorter than usual.
Malena Washington, LaBrittney Jones, and coach Adia Barnes meet with the media when practice breaks up around 3 p.m. James heads back to the treatment room.
This time James uses the Nomatec machine. She zips each leg into what looks like ski pants. The Nomatec compresses the injury and prevents swelling.
James spends lots of time in the treatment room, and has learned to like — or at least appreciate — it.
“I was a healthy soul when I first came in. I never sat out a game or practice. In fact, in high school I would do two practices a day,” she said. “(Now) I live in the treatment room. I never thought I’d be broken down by the end of my senior year. Now I hang in here and say, ‘What’s next?’
“At the end out day, you have to love what you do because it wears you out.”
These days are running out. The Wildcats will play UCLA on Friday and USC on Sunday, and are guaranteed at least one game in the Pac-12 tournament. The UA is 13-14 this season; go 2-1, and it’ll qualify for the NIT. The Wildcats haven’t played in the postseason since 2011.
James isn’t sure what she’ll do after graduating in May. She’d like to play basketball overseas, and may pursue a career on the business side of professional sports. She has thought about broadcasting, and has interest in pediatric radiology and sonography.
For now, James is enjoying her final few weeks as a Wildcat. There’s a team dinner at coach Adia Barnes’ house at 6 p.m., and there’s homework to do. The senior will go to bed tired. She’ll do it all again tomorrow.
