James Eliuda is a senior midfielder for the George Mason University men’s soccer team and a Sport Management student from Juba, South Sudan. A 2025 Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team selection and 2026 preseason All-Conference honoree, he has built his college career around heavy minutes, two-way midfield work, academics and preparation. On The Sideline, Eliuda explains how he moved from South Sudan through Kenya and Florida before choosing George Mason, what a Division I soccer schedule demands, how his family and coaches kept him committed to school, and why he hopes to continue playing professionally after graduation.
Raised in Juba, South Sudan, James graduated from Juba Diocesan Secondary School at 15 and developed at Future Stars Academy. He represented South Sudan at the under-15 and under-17 levels, later trained in Kenya, and moved by himself to Florida as a teenager to join DME Academy. After drawing roughly 15 college offers, he chose George Mason because Rich Costanzo was the first coach to speak specifically about how he played and made the relationship feel right.
James made his George Mason debut in October 2023 and scored his first collegiate goal three days later against Radford. In 2024 he started all 18 matches and helped the Patriots win their first Atlantic 10 regular-season championship, earning A-10 Second Team and VaSID First Team honors. He followed that with A-10 First Team recognition in 2025, two game-winning goals, and a goal plus an assist in a 4-1 win over No. 11 Virginia. He entered 2026 on the A-10 Preseason All-Conference Team.
College soccer starts early for James: treatment and preparation around 6 a.m., team video, practice, lifting and classes can keep him on campus until late afternoon. Tracking data shows that he averages about eight miles in a match. He expects to finish his Sport Management degree and hopes to continue into professional soccer, whether through the MLS SuperDraft or another opportunity.
James completed high school in South Sudan when he was 15 years old before continuing his soccer journey abroad.
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