By Louis Fernandez, WRAL Sports

Duke graduate transfer Sion James walked around the Levin Jewish Community Center in Durham on Saturday evening. Boxes of toys stacked on tables, kids working on their free throws in the gym and plenty of people wearing shirts that read, “One 4 All Toy Drive.” It’s the first toy drive his foundation, The Sion James Foundation, has put on in his new home, Durham.

“It’s a real cool event to get kids around the community, really around basketball and really centered around giving back,” James said.

All you needed to get access to the gym inside the community center was a toy donation. From there, people shot free throws with the chance to earn raffle tickets to use in the event’s silent auction.

James joined the Blue Devils this season as a transfer after spending four seasons at Tulane. He says being a grad student at a program is a little different than the typical route of his younger teammates.

“I know I’ll only be here for one season, but I wanted to do something good, I wanted to do good stuff while I’m here,” James said.

“I really just try to use that experience I had when I came from Tulane. Freshman Sion wouldn’t have been able to do something like this, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge or experience, but I’m thankful that I did, because after four incredible years at Tulane, I’m able to do something cool like this in Durham.”

All proceeds from the event support the Sion James Foundation which, according to the organization’s website, exists to serve people and strengthen communities, focusing on humanitarian causes, including the fight for increased education opportunities for youth.

A few of James’ teammates joined him on Saturday, including fellow graduate student Mason Gillis, senior Stanley Borden and sophomore Caleb Foster.

“At the heart of it is just being able to show kids around Durham that there is someone that really cares for you, someone that loves you and someone that can help you through all your situations,” James said.

“Yes we’re here, yes I play basketball, yes that’s what I do, but that’s not who I am, it’s just something that I get to do.”

Source: wralsportsfan.com