University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Quick Chat: Dylan James
February 23, 2025 | Men's Basketball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Georgia men's basketball coach Mike White gave sophomore Dylan James a very complimentary nickname: "Everyday Dyl." James earned the nickname because of his consistency on and off the court, in how he works and how he carries himself.
For James, a 6-foot-9 forward from Winter Haven, Fla., and a former AAU teammate of Bulldogs star freshman Asa Newell, the nickname has become something of a mantra. He keeps it in mind when shows up each day.
A versatile player off the bench, one capable of playing multiple positions on the floor, James has averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds through the Bulldogs' first 27 games, but his impact, particularly on the defensive end, isn't always measured in stats. James did hit four 3-pointers against Jacksonville on Nov. 30, and he had 10 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes against South Carolina on Jan. 28.
During a recent Quick Chat, James talked about his nickname, his development as a player, his funniest teammate, being one of four siblings to play college basketball, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: What does the nickname "Everyday Dyl" mean to you?
James: I think it's kind of been my personality most of my life, just to be consistent in everything I do. I've had a few role models that I try to model my life after, but it's become a mantra since Coach White made it a thing. I try to go into practice every day and be "Everyday Dyl."
Frierson: Where have you improved or grown the most since you first got to Georgia?
James: I would say the most progress has been mental, my basketball IQ and my approach to the game. I think you should play every game like it's your last, and that wasn't my approach coming from high school into college. That was something I've learned since I got here.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on this year's team?
James: If I can't say myself ...
Frierson: You can if you want to.
James: I would say myself [laughs] but for the sake of this, I'll Tyrin Lawrence is the funniest.
Frierson: You're the third or fourth player in a row to say Tyrin. What is it about him that's so funny?
James: He doesn't say a lot, but whenever he does say something, you better be listening because it's bound to be something funny.
Frierson: If you could get in a time machine and visit any time and place in the past or future, where and when would you go?
James: I would definitely go back in time, and I'll probably go back to around when my parents were my age. I think it would be cool to go back to see what they were like at my age and be able to talk and interact with them.
Frierson: Were either of your parents basketball players?
James: Neither of my parents actually played basketball. It all started with my sister. She was really good; she started playing in high school and I think me and my two brothers just kind of followed in her footsteps.
Frierson: You got to play against your brother Dorian when Georgia faced North Florida last season — what was that experience like?
James: That was a big moment for my family. That's just something that I a lot of people don't get to experience, and I just thank God for that opportunity.
Frierson: Do you have any hidden or unusual talents? What do you do well outside of basketball?
James: I cut hair. I actually give myself haircuts. I don't really go to the barber anymore because they're charging astronomical prices nowadays.
Frierson: Do you ever cut your teammates' hair?
James: I've cut a few of them before. When I started, I was sweating, like my whole body was sweating, because I'm like, I don't want to mess them up. But now, they're like, Even if you mess me up, bro, it's fine.
I just don't want to spend that money to go to the barber. I don't charge anybody, either. I was just like, come on over, I'll give you a haircut.
Frierson: When you think of home or Winter Haven, what comes to mind?
James: I was born in Coral Springs but I was raised in Winter Haven my whole life. Athens kind of reminds me of Winter Haven. There's no college, but Winter Haven is a special place and holds a special place in my heart.
I tried to go to prep school for a year, but after that year I was like, I want to go home and play. I went back home my junior and senior years and played for my hometown coach. He was there when my sister played in high school and he coached my two older brothers, so it was really cool being able to play for him.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Staff Writer
Georgia men's basketball coach Mike White gave sophomore Dylan James a very complimentary nickname: "Everyday Dyl." James earned the nickname because of his consistency on and off the court, in how he works and how he carries himself.
For James, a 6-foot-9 forward from Winter Haven, Fla., and a former AAU teammate of Bulldogs star freshman Asa Newell, the nickname has become something of a mantra. He keeps it in mind when shows up each day.
A versatile player off the bench, one capable of playing multiple positions on the floor, James has averaged 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds through the Bulldogs' first 27 games, but his impact, particularly on the defensive end, isn't always measured in stats. James did hit four 3-pointers against Jacksonville on Nov. 30, and he had 10 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes against South Carolina on Jan. 28.
During a recent Quick Chat, James talked about his nickname, his development as a player, his funniest teammate, being one of four siblings to play college basketball, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: What does the nickname "Everyday Dyl" mean to you?
James: I think it's kind of been my personality most of my life, just to be consistent in everything I do. I've had a few role models that I try to model my life after, but it's become a mantra since Coach White made it a thing. I try to go into practice every day and be "Everyday Dyl."
Frierson: Where have you improved or grown the most since you first got to Georgia?
James: I would say the most progress has been mental, my basketball IQ and my approach to the game. I think you should play every game like it's your last, and that wasn't my approach coming from high school into college. That was something I've learned since I got here.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on this year's team?
James: If I can't say myself ...
Frierson: You can if you want to.
James: I would say myself [laughs] but for the sake of this, I'll Tyrin Lawrence is the funniest.
Frierson: You're the third or fourth player in a row to say Tyrin. What is it about him that's so funny?
James: He doesn't say a lot, but whenever he does say something, you better be listening because it's bound to be something funny.
Frierson: If you could get in a time machine and visit any time and place in the past or future, where and when would you go?
James: I would definitely go back in time, and I'll probably go back to around when my parents were my age. I think it would be cool to go back to see what they were like at my age and be able to talk and interact with them.
Frierson: Were either of your parents basketball players?
James: Neither of my parents actually played basketball. It all started with my sister. She was really good; she started playing in high school and I think me and my two brothers just kind of followed in her footsteps.
Frierson: You got to play against your brother Dorian when Georgia faced North Florida last season — what was that experience like?
James: That was a big moment for my family. That's just something that I a lot of people don't get to experience, and I just thank God for that opportunity.
Frierson: Do you have any hidden or unusual talents? What do you do well outside of basketball?
James: I cut hair. I actually give myself haircuts. I don't really go to the barber anymore because they're charging astronomical prices nowadays.
Frierson: Do you ever cut your teammates' hair?
James: I've cut a few of them before. When I started, I was sweating, like my whole body was sweating, because I'm like, I don't want to mess them up. But now, they're like, Even if you mess me up, bro, it's fine.
I just don't want to spend that money to go to the barber. I don't charge anybody, either. I was just like, come on over, I'll give you a haircut.
Frierson: When you think of home or Winter Haven, what comes to mind?
James: I was born in Coral Springs but I was raised in Winter Haven my whole life. Athens kind of reminds me of Winter Haven. There's no college, but Winter Haven is a special place and holds a special place in my heart.
I tried to go to prep school for a year, but after that year I was like, I want to go home and play. I went back home my junior and senior years and played for my hometown coach. He was there when my sister played in high school and he coached my two older brothers, so it was really cool being able to play for him.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
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