TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Women's Basketball Head Coach Becky Burke has announced the addition of James Ewing to her inaugural coaching staff as an assistant coach. Ewing, who has worked alongside Burke since 2023, brings a strong background in player development, recruiting, and post play instruction.
"I am absolutely thrilled to have James here in Tucson with me," said Burke. "He is a high-level recruiter, high character man, and brings exceptional energy and passion for the game. James was a large part of the success we had at Buffalo and I am so excited for us to continue that success together here at Arizona."
Ewing arrives in Tucson after two seasons on Burke's staff at the University at Buffalo, where he played a key role in back-to-back postseason runs. During the 2024-25 season, Ewing helped lead the Bulls to a program-record 30 wins and a WNIT Championship. In his first season with the Bulls, the team earned 19 wins, reached the MAC Championship game, and made a postseason WNIT appearance. Buffalo also posted a seven-win improvement in league play — the highest in the MAC — as Ewing helped mentor standout post player Alexis Davis, the team's leading rebounder.
Before joining Burke at Buffalo, Ewing served in roles at St. Bonaventure (2022-23) and Daemen College (2021-22), where he was instrumental in developing post players and managing recruiting. At Daemen, he helped guide conference Player of the Year and First Team All-American Katie Titus while also coordinating the program's recruiting efforts. Ewing began his collegiate coaching career at Bryant & Stratton College in 2020-21, helping lead the Bobcats to a USCAA conference runner-up finish.
A former Division I student-athlete, Ewing played two seasons at the University of Toledo (2011–13), where he was part of a MAC West Division Championship squad, before completing his career at Mercyhurst (2013–15). As a senior, he led the Lakers in rebounding and helped the program reach its first NCAA Tournament appearance. He graduated from Mercyhurst in 2015 with a degree in business and hospitality.
Ewing also played professionally for the Buffalo 716ers of the Premier Basketball League (PBL), averaging a double-double in 2015. He went on to spend three seasons playing in the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) in Belize, earning three All-Star selections and averaging more than 16 points per game.
A Buffalo native, Ewing was a standout at Cardinal O'Hara High School, where he scored over 1,400 career points and was a First Team All-State selection. He also played a postgraduate season at IMG Academy.
