James Takes Pride In ‘Everyday’ Nickname
September 18, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Adam Greene
UGA Sports Communications
The 2024-25 Georgia men's basketball season ended with the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2015. Led by coach Mike White, the Bulldogs aim for a second straight berth for the first time since 2002. With a strong class of incoming freshmen, transfers, and returning talent, the Bulldogs believe they'll be able to do so from top to bottom.
"Winning habits, just to match the culture we had last year," White said of the foundation of their team. "The work ethic is there. I'm convinced this group is really going to work." He credits the Bulldogs' resilience, and although still two months out from the season opening, he's watching the "toughness, the attitude, the integrity, the loyalty, and the connection toward one another."
As any team does, he knows they'll have to face adversity and respond throughout different points of the season, pointing out "we've got to see where we're at from a mental toughness standpoint," but that's where White leans on the returners—now ones with March Madness experience—to lead the charge. Nobody on the Bulldogs roster is as qualified to fill that role as Dylan James.
"No one has been more consistent in our program since the day I stepped on campus than Dylan James," White stated. "We call him 'Everyday Dyl'; he brings it every day. He's the same exact guy every day with his attitude and his effort."
A 6-foot-9 junior forward from Winter Haven, Fla., James has become a role model for his teammates. "I kinda just inherited that position being a third-year player, but I'm enjoying it so far," James said. "It's a learning curve and I gotta get used to it," but James highlights the mentorship he's gotten from Coach White and other players once in the spot he's in now.
White going out of his way to praise James for his consistency meant a lot to his player. Having that level of trust and confidence in him "means a lot to me," James said. "Knowing Coach White's reputation, the kind of guy that he is … you gain a lot of respect for somebody like that when they show respect for you in that way."
Back on the topic of his nickname, James doesn't take it lightly either: "I take pride in being consistent. [Coach White] is the one who gave me that nickname, 'Everyday Dyl,' so I'm just trying to embrace it. Stand on that, make it my identity."
James and the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them. In a conference always loaded with talent, the Bulldogs will spend the next couple of months building on basketball fundamentals — passing, shooting, defense — but also chemistry.
"Chemistry is always something you need to focus on, but chemistry with this year's team is definitely something that we need to focus on over the next month — but I think that we're improving a lot day by day," James said.
James, being the leader he is, took a second to "speak about all three of our freshmen. Jacob [Wilkins], Kareem [Stagg], and Jackson [McVey]. ... I'm super proud of how far they've come since they got here." James gives them a significant nod of approval, even saying, "they're much more ready to play than I was my freshman year. They're mature guys, they're gifted, they're talented."
One thing James enters the season with that they do not is valuable tournament experience. For James, their March Madness appearance opened his eyes to the realities of making a push for a deep run. "That one tournament experience makes all the difference as a player," James said. "The first time, you don't know what to expect. … I think that's going to be huge for us."
On the recruiting side, the appearance also makes a world of difference for White and the coaching staff. When recruits see the Bulldogs competing in March Madness, they see an opportunity to be the best of the best on a national stage.
"They want to play at a high level. They want to play in the NCAA Tournament. They want to play against other really good teams. They want to play in the postseason. They want to be professionals," White explained. "You can do all of that here at the University of Georgia."
As mentioned earlier, James, White, and the program recognize the steps they need to take going forward. They aren't just aiming to return to the tournament, but make noise in it too. For now, "Everyday Dyl" will continue setting the standard for the rest of the team.
While they're proud of past success, White affirmed, "we're ready for the next step."
UGA Sports Communications
The 2024-25 Georgia men's basketball season ended with the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2015. Led by coach Mike White, the Bulldogs aim for a second straight berth for the first time since 2002. With a strong class of incoming freshmen, transfers, and returning talent, the Bulldogs believe they'll be able to do so from top to bottom.
"Winning habits, just to match the culture we had last year," White said of the foundation of their team. "The work ethic is there. I'm convinced this group is really going to work." He credits the Bulldogs' resilience, and although still two months out from the season opening, he's watching the "toughness, the attitude, the integrity, the loyalty, and the connection toward one another."
As any team does, he knows they'll have to face adversity and respond throughout different points of the season, pointing out "we've got to see where we're at from a mental toughness standpoint," but that's where White leans on the returners—now ones with March Madness experience—to lead the charge. Nobody on the Bulldogs roster is as qualified to fill that role as Dylan James.
"No one has been more consistent in our program since the day I stepped on campus than Dylan James," White stated. "We call him 'Everyday Dyl'; he brings it every day. He's the same exact guy every day with his attitude and his effort."
A 6-foot-9 junior forward from Winter Haven, Fla., James has become a role model for his teammates. "I kinda just inherited that position being a third-year player, but I'm enjoying it so far," James said. "It's a learning curve and I gotta get used to it," but James highlights the mentorship he's gotten from Coach White and other players once in the spot he's in now.
White going out of his way to praise James for his consistency meant a lot to his player. Having that level of trust and confidence in him "means a lot to me," James said. "Knowing Coach White's reputation, the kind of guy that he is … you gain a lot of respect for somebody like that when they show respect for you in that way."
Back on the topic of his nickname, James doesn't take it lightly either: "I take pride in being consistent. [Coach White] is the one who gave me that nickname, 'Everyday Dyl,' so I'm just trying to embrace it. Stand on that, make it my identity."
James and the Bulldogs have their work cut out for them. In a conference always loaded with talent, the Bulldogs will spend the next couple of months building on basketball fundamentals — passing, shooting, defense — but also chemistry.
"Chemistry is always something you need to focus on, but chemistry with this year's team is definitely something that we need to focus on over the next month — but I think that we're improving a lot day by day," James said.
James, being the leader he is, took a second to "speak about all three of our freshmen. Jacob [Wilkins], Kareem [Stagg], and Jackson [McVey]. ... I'm super proud of how far they've come since they got here." James gives them a significant nod of approval, even saying, "they're much more ready to play than I was my freshman year. They're mature guys, they're gifted, they're talented."
One thing James enters the season with that they do not is valuable tournament experience. For James, their March Madness appearance opened his eyes to the realities of making a push for a deep run. "That one tournament experience makes all the difference as a player," James said. "The first time, you don't know what to expect. … I think that's going to be huge for us."
On the recruiting side, the appearance also makes a world of difference for White and the coaching staff. When recruits see the Bulldogs competing in March Madness, they see an opportunity to be the best of the best on a national stage.
"They want to play at a high level. They want to play in the NCAA Tournament. They want to play against other really good teams. They want to play in the postseason. They want to be professionals," White explained. "You can do all of that here at the University of Georgia."
As mentioned earlier, James, White, and the program recognize the steps they need to take going forward. They aren't just aiming to return to the tournament, but make noise in it too. For now, "Everyday Dyl" will continue setting the standard for the rest of the team.
While they're proud of past success, White affirmed, "we're ready for the next step."
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