James Ray
Personal information
Born(1957-07-27)July 27, 1957
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 26, 2023(2023-12-26) (aged 66)
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High schoolL. B. Landry
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
CollegeJacksonville (1976–1980)
NBA draft1980: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the Denver Nuggets
Playing career1980–1987
PositionPower forward
Number43
Career history
1980–1983Denver Nuggets
1983–1984Berloni Torino
1985–1986Peñas Huesca
1986–1987Fenerbahçe
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com

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.

Post-career

In 2001, Ray was diagnosed with sarcoidosis.[1] Due to his failing health and financial challenges, the NBA's retired players association provided him support.[2] 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.[3] He died on December 26, 2023, at the age of 66.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "NBA.com: James E. Ray
    A Ray of Light"    . Archived from the original on 2009-09-19. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  2. ↑ Jacksonville.com
  3. ↑ Jacksonville.com
  4. ↑ Former JU hoops star, NBA first-round draft pick James Ray, 66, passes away in Gainesville
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