Jerome James: The NBA’s Journeyman Center

Jerome James was once a top NBA draft pick, but he’s best known now for his journeyman status, bouncing around the league for years. Follow his story here.

Jerome James: The NBA’s Journeyman Center

Jerome James is a professional basketball player who has played for several teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is perhaps best known for his time with the Seattle SuperSonics where he helped the team reach the NBA Finals in 1996. However, James’ NBA Career has been marked by journeyman status, as he has also played for the New York Knicks Chicago Bulls Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings

Born in Panama City Florida, Jerome James began his basketball career at Chipola junior college He then transferred to the University of Xavier-New Orleans, where he played two seasons of Division I Basketball James was not selected in the NBA Draft after leaving Xavier-New Orleans, but he was eventually signed by the Seattle SuperSonics as a free agent in 1996.

James spent four seasons with the SuperSonics, serving mostly as a backup center behind All-Star Shawn Kemp He averaged a career-high 10.0 points per game during the 1999-2000 season and was a member of the team that reached the NBA Finals in 1996. Following his time with the SuperSonics, James bounced around to several different teams before ultimately retiring from the NBA in 2009.

Since retiring from basketball, Jerome James has largely stayed out of the public eye. He currently resides in Baton Rouge Louisiana, with his wife and three children.

From the D-League to the NBA

Jerome James has had an eventful career, to say the least. After going undrafted out of college, he spent time in the D-League before finally getting his chance in the NBA. He’s played for six different NBA teams over the course of his career, and he’s even had a stint in China. Now, after nearly two decades in Professional Basketball he’s back in the D-League, trying to recapture the magic that once made him an NBA Journeyman

James’ NBA career

Jerome James’ NBA career can be best described as a journeyman’s. He has bounced around the league, playing for six different teams in his twelve year career. He is currently a free agent after being released by the Houston Rockets in February of 2011.

James was drafted in the second round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat He played two seasons with the Heat, before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2000. He played one season with the Kings, before being traded again, this time to the New York Knicks James spent three seasons with the Knicks, and was a key player on their 2003-04 team that went to the NBA Finals

After his stint with the Knicks, James’ career took a turn for the worse. He was never able to recapture his previous form, and bounced around from team to team over the next few years. In 2010-11, he was briefly reunited with his former Knicks teammate Mike D’Antoni, when he signed with the Houston Rockets However, he was released by the team after just six games.

James has not been able to find another NBA team since then, and his career appears to be over.

James’ time with the Knicks

Jerome James spent five seasons with the New York Knicks from 2005 to 2010. He was originally signed by the Knicks in 2005, after a successful run with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game He was brought in by the Knicks to provide depth at the center position behind starter Eddy Curry.

James saw limited action in his first season with the Knicks, appearing in just 28 games and averaging 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game His role increased slightly in his second season, as he appeared in 53 games and averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. However, James’ time with the Knicks is most remembered for his struggles during the team’s 2008-09 season, when he appeared in just 13 games and averaged a career-low 1.3 points per game

James was ultimately released by the Knicks in 2010 and he never played in the NBA again. He finishes his career with averages of 5.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game across eight NBA seasons

James’ time with the Rockets

James’ time with the Rockets was short-lived, as the team bought out his contract in February 2009, less than a year after signing him. He was widely criticized for his lack of effort and conditioning during his time with the team, appearing overweight and disinterested in playing.

James’ time with the Bulls

In his ten-year nba career, Jerome James has been a journeyman center, playing for eight different teams. He started his career with the New York Knicks where he spent two seasons before being traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1998. After four seasons in Seattle, James was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2002. He played two seasons with the Bulls, averaging 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, before being waived in 2004.

James’ return to the NBA

Jerome James’ return to the NBA has been anything but smooth. After a successful college career, James entered the NBA with high expectations. However, he failed to live up to the hype, bouncing around the league for several years.

Now, after cleaning up his act and getting his life back on track, James is trying to make an NBA Comeback He recently signed with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League and he is hopeful that he can eventually make it back to the NBA.

Despite his journeyman status, James still has a lot of talent. If he can stay focused and motivated, there’s no reason why he can’t make it back to the NBA and carve out a successful career.

James’ final NBA season

James’ final season was marred by injuries and he only played in 35 games.

Where is Jerome James now?

Jerome James was once a star in the NBA Finals After being drafted in the second round by the Sacramento Kings in 1998, he became a key player on the Seattle Supersonics’ run to the NBA Finals in 2001. He was traded to the New York Knicks in 2005 and spent three seasons there before being waived. He signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2010 but was waived re Playing a game for them. He has not played in the NBA since 2010.

So where is Jerome James now? He is currently working as a coach at his old High School Francis Parker School in San Diego California.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jerome James’ NBA career was one of inconsistency and unfulfilled potential. Despite being a productive player at times, he never became the star many thought he would be. Nevertheless, he enjoyed a lengthy career in the league and will be remembered as a journeyman center who made the most of his opportunities.