Bernard James, 27-year-old Air Force veteran, gets ‘U-S-A!’
chant after he’s drafted by Dallas (VIDEO)
By Dan Devine | Ball Don't Lie
June 29, 2012
Second-round picks often wind up being footnotes in the NBA
draft. But Bernard James — chosen by the Cleveland
Cavaliers with the 33rd overall pick in Thursday night's 2012 NBA
draft, then flipped to the Dallas Mavericks as part of
a draft-night deal — isn't your typical second-round pick.
The 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward/center was not considered a
top-flight prospect entering Thursday's draft, despite leading
the Florida State Seminoles in rebounding and blocked shots during
both of his seasons in Tallahassee, earning a spot on the ACC's All-Defensive
Team and an honorable mention for the all-conference team in his final year,
and helping FSU to its first ACC conference championship in school history. His
second-round status was attributable, in large part, to the fact that he's 27
years old.
See, before turning his attention to basketball, James spent six years in the
United States Air Force, rising to the rank of staff sergeant and serving tours
of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar. The fans in attendance at the
Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., recognized and celebrated James' service on
Thursday night, chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" as the veteran strode up to
the stage to shake hands with NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, who presides
over the second round of the draft. In a draft largely devoid of drama or
intrigue, it was, without question, the coolest and most stirring moment of the
evening. Read more here...
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