Arizona Women’s Tennis alumni, Akilah James, returned to the program as assistant coach in July of 2022. James graduated from the University of Arizona in 2014 after playing her final two seasons of college tennis for the Wildcats after transferring from South Carolina State.
James returns to Tucson after playing on the women’s tennis professional tour. She finished her ITF World Tour in Sumter, S.C. as recently as June 13. Akilah has been ranked collegiately and professionally, reaching as high as 678 in the world in singles on the WTA Tour.
During her collegiate career at Arizona she recorded a 12-7 singles record and 17-4 doubles record in the 2013-14 season. In James' debut season as a Wildcat, she posted a 13-11 singles record and 16-8 in doubles. She also received the ITA Most Improved Senior of the Year Award in 2014 and the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Southwest region in 2013.
