Here's why: “Coach Jon is an outstanding coach, teacher of the game, and mentor to the players he encounters. I’m ecstatic to have him on board with me again as this will be our fifth year together. He knows me on and off the court and we have a similar philosophy so the transition will be seamless.”
The 6-foot-6 James is a Valley High graduate and a CRC alum, playing for Jim Clark. He played DII ball at University of West Georgia and later overseas in Ireland, returning to Sacramento to become a basketball skill development coach. He started Mylaces Skill Development Association.
Did he see coaching in his future early on? "When you're younger, all you think about is playing basketball. I didn't know what I wanted to do [once the playing ceased] but I always had people tell me you're going to be a coach someday.'"
Once back in Sacramento, James got a call from the Valley High head coach asking if James wanted to help out. "I said sure and became an assistant with the varsity and the junior varsity head coach." Then he moved over to Pleasant Grove High acting in the same capacities.
After a few years, "I had learned all I could learn and accomplish at this level." James began looking at community college opportunities. "I’ve always felt the community college level would be a great fit for me, being able to relate to players is important. I am a product of community college athletics. I understand their challenges as student athletes and how to overcome them. The balance between academics and athletics is vital. Every kid wants a scholarship but doesn’t really understand what it takes both on the court and in the classroom. I lived it, Coach Gio as well. We prepare our young men the best we can. Coaching is more than X’s and O’s, there is a teaching and mentorship aspect as well. I live for all three.”
"I reached out to Charles Wilder," a longtime assistant at Cosumnes River College. James was told to sit tight and that Wilder would get back to him. "He called back and we met with Coach Gio. We clicked and I was hired."
"I played every position at every level but how to be successful as a four and five at the JC level was kind of my niche. I finished as the seventh leading scorer in the state my sophomore season at CRC. I was a scorer. I could face up or play with my back to the basket."
James has multiple tenets for becoming a post player at the four and five. "Ask yourself, how can I stay on the floor? Every coach needs defense and rebounding. You also have to learn how to dominate this position, meaning when a smaller guy is on you, you get on the block and bury him. With a bigger guy, you take him outside. Make him defend away from the basket, make him uncomfortable."
For James, the gold standard for being or becoming a good post player isn't muscle mass or size. It’s having a relentless work ethic, a by-all-means-necessary attitude and it's footwork, maneuvering your feet. "You've got to have really good feet. It's playing in space, in a small area, whether you're attacking the rim or rebounding. If you're feet are quicker or better, you will win the battle."
Can good footwork be taught? "Absolutely. It's muscle memory, and repetition, teaching your feet how to move. It's making awkward movements become natural movements. Even someone with slow feet can develop precise movements."
There are also other elements applicable to all positions. "Think a play ahead by being a good actor. Make your opponent think you're going to get the ball. That changes defenses and creates openings even if a pass doesn't come your way."
James is also a proponent of becoming one with the weight room. "Lifting conditions the body and gets you in shape and, from a mental aspect, it provides confidence."
Having such an asset on staff should be a positive recruiting lure for Las Positas basketball since so much of what James teaches is not often taught at the high school level.
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