James Donaldson

Professional Basketball

High School:  Luther Burbank
College:  Washington State University

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* NBA Career:  14 Years (Seattle, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas, New York Knicks,

    Utah)

​* 8,203 Career Points​
* 7,492 Career Rebounds​
* 1,267 Career Blocks​
* NBA All-Star Selection (1988)

* Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (2006)

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James Donaldson, a 7'2" star center, was one of the best big men to come from Sacramento. He went to Burbank and then to Washington State University.  He was the Cougars all-time leader in career blocked shots, blocks average, single-season blocks, single-season blocks average and single-game blocked shots. He was inducted in WSU's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

 

In 1977, James was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics.  However, he spent his first professional season abroad playing for the Italian Serie A’s.  James played three seasons with Seattle before moving on to play for the Clippers.  During the 1984-85 season, he led the NBA in field goal percentage at .637- still one of the ten highest percentages in NBA history. 

 

In 1985 he joined the Dallas Mavericks, where he was part of some great playoff teams. He later played for the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz.  He retired from the NBA in 1995, with 8,203 career points, 7492 rebounds and 1,267 blocked shots.  He was and NBA All Star selection in 1988.  

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James retired in 1999 and settled in the Seattle area, where he runs the Donaldson Clinic: a physical therapy business. He is also a motivational speaker and the Director of the Tacoma College Success Foundation.