James Southerland III came to Syracuse from Cardozo High School where he played for legendary coach Ron Naclerio, who also coached a guy named Rafer Alston. Southerland also attended Notre Dame Prep for a year, the same school that produced Paul Harris, before becoming a Syracuse Orange.
Southerland got off to an auspicious start at Syracuse by going 7-for-7 in his first exhibition game, making 5 three-pointers. The fast start would prove to ephemeral as Southerland would only appear in 13 games his freshman year.
In his sophomore year, Southerland would receive more minutes thanks to Wesley Johnson's departure to the NBA.