Marquette Star Nigel James Throws Down Dunk of the Year Candidate vs. Georgetown

The freshman guard's epic poster dunk has fans buzzing despite Marquette's struggles this season.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 4:51am

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Marquette basketball star freshman guard Nigel James threw down a monstrous dunk over the Georgetown defense in Tuesday night's road victory over the Hoyas. The highlight-reel play is a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Golden Eagles, who are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.

Why it matters

Despite Marquette's struggles this season, Nigel James has emerged as a rising star and potential future NBA prospect. His jaw-dropping athleticism and scoring ability have given Golden Eagles fans something to get excited about, and his poster dunk against Georgetown is sure to earn him national attention.

The details

With Marquette leading Georgetown 67-57 in the final minutes, James soared over the defense for a thunderous one-handed slam dunk that sent the Marquette bench into a frenzy. The 6-foot guard from Huntington, New York has consistently dazzled at the rim this season, using his craftiness and explosiveness to keep the Golden Eagles competitive.

  • Marquette defeated Georgetown 76-60 on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Nigel James' dunk came with 5:06 remaining in the game.

The players

Nigel James

A 6-foot freshman guard for the Marquette Golden Eagles, James is a Big East Freshman of the Year contender who has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for Marquette.

Marquette Golden Eagles

The Marquette men's basketball team, which is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

Georgetown Hoyas

The opponent Marquette defeated 76-60 on Tuesday night, with Nigel James' highlight-reel dunk coming in the final minutes of the game.

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What they’re saying

“NIGEL JAMES HAD THE BENCH GOING CRAZY AFTER THIS POSTER 🤯”

— NCAA March Madness X

What’s next

Marquette will look to build on this win as they finish the regular season, with games against DePaul, Providence, and UConn remaining. Nigel James will have a chance to showcase his skills on a bigger stage during the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

The takeaway

Nigel James' electrifying dunk against Georgetown has given Marquette fans a reason to be excited about the future, even in a down season for the program. The freshman's combination of athleticism and scoring ability make him a player to watch, both for the remainder of this year and in the years to come.