James was born in Houston, Texas. He attended Madisonville High School in Madisonville, Texas, where he received All-District honors in his senior year.  He received his B.A. in Psychology from Texas Southern University in 2004 and his M.A. in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University in 2008.   

James is entering his 20st year as a Coach and is now in his 7th year with Texas Express Basketball Club. He considers the game of basketball as a Ministry that positively impacts the lives of young people, especially via his active participation in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He has been Blessed to coach and train several players who have and are currently playing basketball in college.    

He began his coaching career in 2004 with the City of Dallas at the AAU level. He went on the following year to join the coaching staff at The Oakridge School (Arlington, Tx.) as a 7th grade coach and Varsity Assistant. James returned home to Houston to continue coaching at the AAU and private school levels, before moving to Phoenix (AZ) to embark upon a successful eight-year coaching career (2008-2016) as a high school and AAU Coach.  During his tenure as the head girls' freshmen coach at La Joya High School in Phoenix, he led his team to a 14-4 record and district championship.  In addition, as the head girls coach at Mountain Point High School in Phoenix, he led his team to the district playoffs and a   
Bi-District championship.    

After receiving news of his mother becoming ill, he returned home to Texas to assist with her recovery and is grateful to have spent the past 6 years with her until her passing in April ‘22. 

Since his return, he has been a Varsity Basketball Assistant/JV Coach at Guyer HS during the 2016-17 season, Irving MacArthur in 2019-22 and is currently at Denton HS. He has had the privilege of working with Lauren Heard (All-time statistical leader at TCU), Sarah Andrews (Baylor), Jordyn Newsome (Coastal Carolina University), Morgan Browning (Morehead State), Natalie Greenwood (University of St. Thomas, MN) and many other collegiate athletes.

When James is not training and coaching players, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife LaTrice, and four children (Tyra 27, Jayden 21, Derynn 15, Zoë 14).