James Ray (basketball)

For other people with the same name, see James Ray.

James Earl Ray (July 27, 1957 – December 26, 2023) was an American professional basketball player. After playing college basketball for the Jacksonville Dolphins, he was selected fifth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1980 NBA draft. He subsequently played three seasons for the team, appearing in 103 games and finishing with career averages of 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Moving to Europe, he went on to play professionally in Italy, Spain and Turkey.

James Ray

Personal information
Born	(1957-07-27)July 27, 1957 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	December 26, 2023(2023-12-26) (aged 66) Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school	L. B. Landry (New Orleans, Louisiana)
College	Jacksonville (1976–1980)
NBA draft	1980: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the Denver Nuggets
Playing career	1980–1987
Position	Power forward
Number	43
Career history
1980–1983	Denver Nuggets
1983–1984	Berloni Torino
1985–1986	Peñas Huesca
1986–1987	Fenerbahçe
Career highlights and awards
Sun Belt Player of the Year (1980) 3× First-team All-Sun Belt (1978–1980) No. 43 retired by Jacksonville Dolphins
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Post-career

In 2001, Ray was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Due to his failing health and financial challenges, the NBA's retired players association provided him support. In 2008, Ray received a lung transplant, soon after receiving a diagnosis of having three months to live without one. The likelihood of receiving a transplant had been rated poorly, due to his need, at 6'9, of receiving lungs from a person taller than 6'5. He died on December 26, 2023, at the age of 66.

External links

• Career statistics from NBA.com  and Basketball Reference 
• James Ray career statistics