The Miami Heat drafted a Hurricane in the first round and his story went far beyond basketball.
As Miami's current NBA Draft hopefuls wait to learn whether they will hear their names called, it is worth remembering one of the most unique draft stories in Hurricanes history.
Tim James starred at Miami Northwestern, became one of the greatest players in University of Miami history and then stayed home when the Miami Heat selected him with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft.
His professional basketball career did not last as long as many expected. What James did after it ended, though, gave his story a meaning that reaches far beyond draft night.
The story that led Tim James from the Heat to Iraq
James arrived at Miami in 1995 as one of the best athletes in the state. The 6-foot-7 forward had already become Miami Northwestern's all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots, while also setting a Florida high school record in the high jump. He carried that versatility to Coral Gables, where he quickly became the foundation of Leonard Hamilton's rebuilding program.
By the time James completed his Miami career, he had helped the Hurricanes reach three straight postseason tournaments and make their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1960. He remains the only player in program history with at least 1,500 points, 800 rebounds and 200 blocked shots. James finished his career with 1,713 points, 856 rebounds and 224 blocks, while earning first-team All-Big East honors twice and sharing the conference's 1999 Player of the Year award with UConn's Richard Hamilton.
Miami retired James' No. 40 jersey on Feb. 27, 1999, before his final regular-season home game. At the time, he was only the second Hurricane to receive that honor, joining Rick Barry.
The Heat selecting James a few months later felt like the perfect ending to his college career.
The NBA did not unfold the way he would have initially hoped.
James appeared in four games for the Heat as a rookie, then spent time with the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. His NBA career ended after 43 games across three seasons. He continued playing professionally overseas in Turkey, Japan, Venezuela and Israel, but the path that began with the Heat at No. 25 had taken a much different turn than anyone expected.
After returning from his overseas career, James made a decision that set him apart from almost every former NBA player.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2008.
James trained at Fort Hood, Texas, before deploying to Iraq in 2009. He served as a specialist at Camp Speicher, north of Baghdad, with Task Force Observe, Detect, Identify and Neutralize. The unit handled reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting and acquisition work in Baghdad and the surrounding area.
James later served in the 1st Cavalry Division, rose to the rank of corporal and returned to Fort Hood after his tour in Iraq. He worked on a maintenance crew for heavy-duty machinery before receiving an honorable discharge in 2011.
His life after the Army continued to follow that same service-minded direction. James became the head coach at Vance-Granville Community College in North Carolina and later worked as a firefighter with Atlanta Fire Rescue.
James' story is a reminder that professional sports are only one part of what makes up the athletes that are seen on screen. They are human beings and can explore behind the sport that they play. His journey from Miami Northwestern to the Heat, then from professional basketball to military service in Iraq, makes him one of the most memorable Hurricanes ever to play in the NBA.
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