A Great Team, A Great Coach
The Andrew Jackson basketball team is one of the top high school sports teams in Florida and this year they’re aiming for the title. Although the team is hard to beat, a great team is nothing without their coach. James Collins is the head varsity basketball coach and he comes with nothing but pure experience and knowledge. Collins, being an Andrew Jackson alumnus, knows what it takes to make a dream team.
“It’s wonderful. I feel blessed for the opportunity to grow up in the school and come back and be able to give back some of the knowledge that I’ve learned,” said Collins. “So, it’s just wonderful, it’s a blessing.
Collins was first introduced to basketball while watching his family members play growing up and watching games on TV. Since then, he hasn’t put a basketball down. Right out of high school, Collins obtained a scholarship to Florida State University where he thrived. Although going to a top school was important, Collins wanted to make sure he was close to family. “I picked Florida State because at the time they were doing well in the ACC,” he said. “They just joined that ACC, and it wasn’t that far away from my home, and I just had a son three weeks before I graduated so I kind of wanted to stay close.”
After flourishing in college, Collins was able to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, the NBA. In 1997, Collins was drafted 36th overall in the second round by the Philadelphia 76ers.
“It was a good journey, a hard one, and it didn’t work out like I planned but I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Collins. Over the span of his ten-year career, Collins played for various teams such as the L.A Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and the Memphis Grizzlies.
After Collins’ time in the NBA, he decided to come back to his roots. Now, being the head varsity basketball coach at Andrew Jackson, he’s determined to make the best team possible. Last season, the team lost their neutral playoff game against Bishop McLaughlin Catholic School by a score of 79-71. So, this year, Collins is hungry and more determined than ever and has high expectations.
“I hope we can close the deal this year and win the district state championship. Hopefully we can put together a run and finish this thing. Something we haven’t been able to do in the last three years.”
Collins says the biggest challenge he’s faced over the years has been getting the kids to retain the knowledge that he’s teaching. Over the years, Collins has had to learn to be patient.
“With these young players you have to be very patient because you never know when they’re going to receive the teaching that you give them,” he said. “Sometimes it could be now, it could be a year from now, second year or fourth year. You have to have some patience.”
The biggest advice Collins would give to an upcoming basketball player would be self-discipline. “No one can push you like you can push yourself. With that self-discipline, you’ll have the tools to push yourself to do all the things to reach all of your goals.”
Written by: Janay Brown
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