Dad’s advice will help as ex-Cougar faces quick test

Former St. Thomas More standout center Adam James (55) will make college debut on national television against Georgia Tech on Tuesday.

LOUISIANA La. — When he was growing up, Adam James didn’t have to go far to learn his basketball lessons.

Out in the driveway at home, his father started passing down his experience at an early age.

“He taught me a lot of post moves,” James said, “and I’ve been working on those same moves ever since.”

It wasn’t a bad way to learn, considering that dad Ben was a three-year veteran of college basketball wars at UL Monroe. Then known as Benji, he was a solid performer in the Southland Conference for then-Northeast Louisiana from 1979-81.

Adam’s following a similar path, but he’s being thrown into action a lot sooner than his dad.

In fact, he figures to play a pivotal role when UL opens its 2003-04 season Tuesday in the first round of the Preseason NIT against Georgia Tech.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting this a few months ago,” James said. “But I’m glad of it. It’s preparing me for what I figure I’ll be facing in the long run in my career.”

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com