The New Orleans Hornets monthly Player Spotlight recognizes our team’s leaders both on the court and in the community. This month’s Player Spotlight features Hornets Guard, Mike James- an NBA veteran known for being an advocate of bringing valuable support to the community.
Mike James’ dedication to improving his hometown of Amityville, New York is visible in each of his annual community initiatives. Each year, James hosts a series of events that exhibit his lasting commitment to bringing valuable support to the community he grew up in. On Saturday, July 26th James hosted his annual Mike James Day, a grassroots initiative intended to unite Suffolk County residents, community leaders, city officials and businesses in promoting the importance of safe neighborhoods and healthy families. The community event engages members of the community to provide local families with resourceful information, food and live entertainment- all at no charge.
Mike James Day was held at Bolden Mack Park in Amityville- the event’s location each year. After a financial donation to assist in the beautification of the park, Suffolk County officials awarded James keys to the city. On that day, Bolden Mack Park was officially renamed, “The Mike James Court at Bolden Mack Park.” This gift prompted James to return to the park each year to bring residents of Amityville together for a united cause.
“I’ve been blessed to earn a living playing a game I love. I learned that game on the courts at Bolden Park,“ James said. “It only makes sense that I would come back and support my community.”
In order to give Amityville citizens access to local community resources at the Mike James Day celebration, James partnered with city and government organizations to offer services like voter registration and free HIV testing. Guests also enjoyed free rides, face painting, balloon animals and a celebrity street ball tournament between the Amityville All-Stars and the NYPD basketball team.
In conjunction with Mike James Day events, James presented the Mike James Award of Courage to Mikie Dukes, a basketball player and fellow Amityville native. Dukes was struck by a hit and run driver five years ago and sustained life-threatening injuries. After Dukes’ parents were told he would never walk again, he survived and went on to graduate high school; he will attend college next fall. Mike James presented Dukes with a bronzed trophy, Hornets gear and a $1,500 scholarship.
Mikie Dukes is among many students who have benefited from James’ generosity and desire to promote higher education. The Mike James Scholarship Foundation was created to provide college scholarships to deserving students in Houston and New York. Students like Dukes will have opportunities to attend college and receive quality education without the burden of paying for it alone.
Mike James has also made it a priority to bring the excitement and skill of professional basketball to his hometown of Amityville. Since 2005, James has hosted the Mike James Experience Basketball Camp to share his basketball knowledge with middle school and high school students. The goal of the camp is to teach youth that “anything is possible, if you work hard and follow your dreams.”
This year’s clinic was held on Friday, July 25th at James’ alma mater, Amityville High School. At the Mike James Basketball Experience, not only do kids learn about basketball skill and technique, but they learn body and mind awareness, mental practice with imagery, stress management and how to handle pressure. James has a very hands-on approach with his camp and personally sets up the stations, works with the campers on developing proper technique and shares his personal story of overcoming odds to become an NBA player. Because James believes that he can teach children life skills through basketball camps, these camps will continue to be an annual commitment.
“The biggest hurdles for me growing up were all the negative influences around," James said. "I was encircled by negativity and at some point you may start believing it, but I refused. That's why I try to support the younger kids out there."
James will also be bringing the Mike James Basketball Experience to his NBA home in New Orleans where he will help coach the New Orleans Hornets Summer Hoops Basketball Clinics on August 5th and 7th. James will be bringing his powerful message to over 300 children in towns across southeastern Louisiana. Other initiatives in the New Orleans community include visits to Southern University of New Orleans where James recently met with college students and the school’s basketball team. James offered a motivational speech that encouraged the students to complete their educations, despite a desire to become a professional athlete, doctor or lawyer.
The New Orleans Hornets monthly Player Spotlight recognizes our team’s leaders both on the court and in the community. This month’s Player Spotlight features Hornets Guard, Mike James- an NBA veteran known for being an advocate of bringing valuable support to the community. 