Jiwan James had to be a bit antsy for a while.

The former Williston all-state football, basketball and baseball player (and now Philadelphia Phillies’ minor leaguer) was shelved for three months with a stress-related arm injury.

The 6-foot-4 righthanded pitcher said the trouble came about when he began overcompensating for tightness in his throwing shoulder. Fortunately, surgery wasn’t needed, only rest and rehab.

A 22nd-round draft pick in 2007, James began throwing again in late January and said he feels good.

During the offseason he has spent a lot of time at his alma mater lifting weights, working out with the basketball team and doing bullpen sessions with the baseball team. He also was a fixture at many of the district title-winning Red Devil hoops games.

“I miss it big time,” James said of carefree high school days.

A one-time Florida signee, James changed his mind and inked with the Phillies a few hours after enrolling in classes. The decision was difficult, and he wrestled with it for days.

Now… “I’m fine with it,” said James, a three-time Gainesville Sun player of the year.

James has gone to a few Gator games this season, and said he occasionally keeps in contact with a few of his fellow signees. He also talks with good friend Tyler Holt, a Gainesville High School alum who is tearing it up with Florida State.

Some day, probably not too far off, life and his job will prevent James from spending as much time in the area with the people who have never seen him as a big shot, just Jiwan.

Those people will be separated by distance, but knowing James, they’ll always be close.