The livewire winger with the fine footwork made a staggering rise in 2021 from the Giltinis’ bench to starting winger for the USA Eagles against the All Blacks.
It all happened in just seven months. James proved his mettle on the big stage for the Giltinis with two tries in an inspired late effort against Utah to decide the Western Conference final when the team needed him.
The Giltinis picked up the fast feet of winger Ryan James from the dispersal draft of players when the Dallas Jackals stalled in 2021.
James is an elusive finisher who played for the USA Under-20s in 2019 after being a three-time High School All-American. He has also attended High-Performance Camps for USA Men’s Sevens.
James is a player on the rise and relishes playing in his home state of California. James found the game at 12 when at San Diego’s Cathedral Catholic High School (2013-17) but it has always been in his Samoan-American heritage because mother Sonya was raised in rugby-mad New Zealand.
The Numbers
Fun Fact
- Has eaten over 1000 bags of Trolli gummy worms.
