FORMER NBA FIRST ROUNDER NOW SERVING IN IRAQ

TIM JAMES

In the past, Tim James was called a “bust.” Now he’s referred to as a “patriot.”

James is a former first round NBA draft pick by the Miami Heat. He is now serving his country as a U.S. Army soldier in Iraq. The transition has been shocking. James has gone from a millionaire basketball player to a grunt in the field who makes $2,600 a month. James says although he earned a college degree and “lived the life” as a professional athlete he always felt something missing in his life. He decided to serve his country and enlisted in the Armysaying, “I wanted to give back to a country that gave me so much.”

Leonard Hamilton, who was James’ college coach and is now at Florida State, says his former player is now “at peace” even though he’s in the middle of a war.

James was never much of an NBA player. Although a first round pick, he only managed to play in only 43 career games with the Heat, Hornets and 76ers. James never started a game or scored more than seven points in any NBA game he ever played in. Nevertheless, he is now a legend in the Miami Heat family because of his service in Iraq. Heat president Pat Riley recently had a box of team gear sent to Iraq. Forward Udonis Haslem says he now wears his #40 jersey, in part, to honor James.

Now, instead of a basketball, James carries a 50-caliber machine gun to work. He is currently stationed at Camp Speicher north of Baghdad.

 

TIM JAMES

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