Christian James reflected on a ‘crazy’ home debut before pledging to do everything in his power to remain unbeaten in a Newcastle Eagles jersey.

The US star hot footed it to Tyneside from Houston last month after answering head coach Marc Steutel’s call for backcourt reinforcements.

And James has slotted straight into his Eagles role — contributing key minutes to big wins against Dziki Warszawa and Cheshire Phoenix.

“That’s two wins in two since I got together with these guys so I’ll just keep on rolling,” said a jubilant James after Friday’s 94-88 win against Phoenix.

“These guys play really hard and they’re super unselfish. We get stops and we have toughness. Coach Steutel has told me that’s in Newcastle’s DNA.

“I did a little research on my team before I flew over here and I know I’ve landed with a great organisation. I’m here to help build for the future.”

James converted a cool triple at the death to stop a stunning Cheshire fightback in its tracks on Friday.

And the Oklahoma graduate — who reached the Final Four of the 2016 NCAA tournament — had the homecourt crowd on its feet when he found team-mate Josh Ward-Hibbert with a superb off-balance bullet pass earlier in the half.

James added six assists and three rebounds to his 15 points in just 22 minutes off the bench against Phoenix.

But he admitted a harem scarem finish to a dramatic fixture was more than he bargained for on a dramatic night in the North East.

“It was a crazy game,” added James after Newcastle threw away a 22-point lead at the half to trail 83-82 with two minutes to play.

“We came out with great energy determined to punch them in the mouth but we lacked that same energy and defensive intensity in the second half.

“So we had to rally and work hard to get stops. Basketball’s a pretty crazy game. But Phoenix is a strong team that plays hard so that was a great win.”

Newcastle had seven players in double figures as Steutel’s vision for total team basketball, built on locked-in defence, was fully realised before the half.

The Eagles shot 61 per cent from the field, outrebounded Phoenix 24-17 and registered 17 assists to lead 60-38 after the most comprehensive 20 minutes of the campaign to date.

“We were rolling,” agreed James. “We were rolling in the first half — making shots, getting stops and doing it all.

“But Phoenix brought the energy after the break and we know they’re a great team that fights hard. They had two wins against us already this season so we had to get that one.”

James was keen to pack his bags and head to the UK following successful spells in Central and South America.

And the 6ft 4in shooting guard believes he’s in the right place at the right time to maintain his career’s impressive upward trajectory.

“I was at home in Texas with family when I got the call from coach Steutel,” he added.

“I wanted to come back to Europe and play high level basketball over here again.

“I want to win and I wanted to join a winning organisation.

“The chance to play European North Basketball League (ENBL) was a big factor and I like how we match up in that competition.

“This team’s been banged up and battling for most of the season but I’m surrounded by great guys and we’ve got some great pieces.

“Once I get into a better rhythm and get some chemistry going within the team I think we’ll be in a great situation.

“After what we did in Warsaw I’m already excited for the Voluntari game.”

A fifth successive ENBL win would propel Newcastle into the playoffs ahead of schedule — Group B’s only unbeaten sides lock horns at the Vertu Motors Arena from 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Tickets are available on the box office.