Grambling's James Headed to Louisiana Hall of Fame
Courtesy Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame - Induction ceremony on Saturday, June 23
A three-time All-American at Grambling after a prep All-America career at New Orleans' Cohen High School, James played five seasons with the expansion New Orleans Jazz, who took him as their first-ever draft pick in the second round of the 1974 draft.
He averaged 10.8 points and 4.1 rebounds and had 370 assists in 356 NBA games. Nicknamed "A.J. From the Parking Lot" for his long-range jump shots, he also played five seasons in Italy and three in the Philippines.
As a collegian, the 6-foot-8 James excelled for legendary Grambling coach Fred Hobdy. James was the SWAC Freshman of the Year in 1970-71, a three-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference pick and the league's MVP as a senior in 1973-74. He was a second-team small college All-American as a sophomore and junior and a first-teamer as a senior when he led the nation in scoring with a 32.1 average.
For his college career, he averaged 22.2 points and 10.9 rebounds in 106 games, helping Grambling claim two SWAC titles and one NAIA District Championship.
He coached at Jarvis Christian College and was an assistant women's coach and head men's coach at his alma mater. While he was a women's assistant, Grambling won two regular-season SWAC titles and one tournament title.
Currently an assistant professor of kinesiology and recently interim athletics director at Grambling, James is already a member of the Grambling, SWAC and Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches halls of fame.
