After a breakout freshman year and diminished sophomore role, K.J. Windham seeks a fresh start and expanded opportunity at James Madison.
After his sophomore season, when he was shockingly being snubbed, K.J. Windham found his new home in the transfer portal.
Per his CAA agent, the former Northwestern guard announced his transfer to James Madison on Thursday, reported by On3’s Jamie Shaw.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard from Indianapolis, Ind., spent two seasons with the Wildcats in the competitive Big Ten. Over 43 games, Windham averaged 4.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting around 37% from the field in limited action.
In his freshman year (2024-25), he provided sparks in the second half of the season when the ‘Cats were on the conference slate. He appeared in 29 games with four starts, posting 5.6 points and 2.0 assists in 16.8 minutes per contest. Amid Brooks Barnhizer’s season-ending injury and Jalen Leach’s ACL injury, Windham stepped up with significant minutes and exploded for a career-high 20 points (8/14 FGs), draining four three-pointers in a loss to the Ducks.
By that season’s end, Windham had played over 20 minutes in eight of Northwestern’s final nine games and established himself as a key rotation piece in crunch time. The late-season surge highlighted his explosiveness and scoring punch off the bench, which was invaluable for the ‘Cats.
Mar 8, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard K.J. Windham (24) handles the ball during the first half against Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen (25) at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn ImagesHowever, Windham’s sophomore year saw diminished presence despite expectations, posting only 3.5 points and 1.1 assists in the 14 games he played. Coach Chris Collins had shut him down significantly since the beginning of 2026, playing him in only three games for the rest of the season.
Windham entered the transfer portal in late March, seeking a bigger role. This move coincides with the Dukes' aggressive efforts to rebuild their roster for the 2026-27 season under head coach Preston Spradlin. Five players have transferred out this offseason, leaving significant gaps, especially in frontcourt and backcourt depth. Notable departures include Justin McBride (15.3 points, 5.6 rebounds per game), Eddie Ricks III (7.1 points, 5.6 rebounds), Christian Brown, Eli Wilborn and Paul Lewis.
These losses, along with others exhausting their eligibility, have created a need for experienced guards and scorers. Windham’s addition, along with recent signings of guard Gage Lattimore (North Carolina Central) and forward Garrett Sundra (Notre Dame), directly addresses the backcourt void left by Lewis and brings high-major experience. Windham’s size, shooting ability, and playmaking could help stabilize the Dukes’ perimeter rotation and add veteran presence.
For Windham, this move offers a fresh start and the opportunity for the expanded role he was seeking, and he aims to take a significant step forward.