Jerome James is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for several teams during his career. James was born on November 17, 1975, in Tampa, Florida, and attended Florida A&M University, where he played college basketball.
James began his professional career in 1998 when he was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the NBA draft. However, he did not play for the Kings and instead played for several teams in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the International Basketball League (IBL) before making his NBA debut in 1999.
James played for several NBA teams during his career, including the Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls. He was known for his size and strength, standing at 7 feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. James was primarily a center and was known for his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.
James had his best season in 2004-2005 when he played for the Seattle SuperSonics. He started 80 games that season and averaged 9.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. He helped lead the SuperSonics to the playoffs that season, where they lost in the second round to the San Antonio Spurs.
After his successful season with the SuperSonics, James signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the New York Knicks in 2005. However, he struggled with injuries and inconsistent play during his time with the Knicks and was eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2008.
James played his final NBA game in 2009 and retired from professional basketball shortly after. He finished his NBA career with averages of 4.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Despite his relatively short NBA career, James is remembered for his size and strength and his ability to block shots and rebound. He was also known for his friendly personality and positive attitude, which made him a popular teammate among his peers.
After retiring from basketball, James has remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor. He has worked with several youth basketball programs and has also coached at the high school and college levels.
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