Paul Julian James (born 11 September 1964) is a former

professional A professional is a member of a profession or any person who works in a specified professional activity. The term also describes the standards of education and training that prepare members of the profession with the particular knowledge and ski ...

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

player and current

head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other Coach (sport), coaches. In some sports, the head coach is instead called the "manage ...

of the British Basketball League (BBL) team

Plymouth City Patriots The Plymouth City Patriots are a professional basketball team based in Plymouth, England. Established in 2021, the team compete in the British Basketball League, the country's premier basketball competition, making their debut in the 2021–22 ...

. Born in Leicester,

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

, James' career in basketball started out as a player for his hometown team Leicester All-Stars. He made his league debut on 26 September 1981, just weeks after his 17th birthday, against local rivals

Nottingham Nottingham ( , locally ) is a city and unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east of Sheffield and north-east of Birmingham. Nottingham has links to the legend of Robi ...

. He enjoyed seven successful years at the All-Stars (now known as Riders) before moving south to sign for Bracknell Tigers in 1988. After nine years as a player, James was then promoted head coach of the Tigers in 1997, a position he retained until 2005 when the franchise was pulled from the league. However, he was soon offered the coaching position of Guildford Heat, a club established by fans of the former Tigers to take their place in the BBL. In just two seasons, James led the new franchise to fifth place in their rookie season and a League and Cup double in 2007, an achievement for the club, for which he was awarded

BBL Coach of the Year The British Basketball League Coach of the Year award is an annual award presented to head coaches in the British Basketball League, and has been awarded at the end of every campaign since the 1987–1988 season. The award is decided by a panel co ...

2007. The proceeding season saw James lead the Heat into its first European adventure, competing in the ULEB Cup, however a disappointing campaign finished 0-10 in a Group that contained the likes of

DKV Joventut Club Joventut Badalona, S.A.D. () is a Spanish professional basketball club based in Badalona, Catalonia, Spain, playing in the Liga ACB and the EuroCup. Known to their fans as ''La Penya'' (in English, ''The Club''), it is one of only two teams ...

, Alba Berlin and BC Šiauliai. The 2008-2009 season was one of financial struggle for Guildford, and as a cost-cutting measure confirmed that James's contract would not be renewed at the end of the season. Thus leading to the appointment of

Chad McKnight Chad McKnight (born June 19, 1983 in Lancaster, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player, who has signed as the Player-Coach for the 2009-10 British Basketball League season with the Guildford Heat. The Forward was educated at Morehea ...

, a former player under James at the Heat, as the new player/coach of the Guildford team. On 7 December 2009 it was announced that James was appointed as the new head coach of

Worcester Wolves The Worcester Wolves are a basketball club in Worcester, England. The team plays in the NBL Division 2, the third tier of British basketball. The club was formed in 2000, and from 2006 until 2021 competed in the British Basketball League, the ...

following the resignation of Chuck Evans. On 29 January 2010 it was announced that James was appointed as head coach of the England men's team. On 10 August 2021, it was announced that James was appointed as inaugural head coach of the

a new franchise for the 2021–22 BBL season.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Paul 1964 births Living people British men's basketball players English basketball coaches Surrey Scorchers Leicester Riders players Sportspeople from Leicester Guildford Heat coaches Worcester Wolves coaches Plymouth City Patriots coaches Point guards