At 27-years old, Bernard James became the oldest player to be drafted in the NBA Draft in the last 20 years when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him with the 33rd overall selection before trading his rights to the Dallas Mavericks.
James enters the NBA after six years of service with the United State Air Force and four years of basketball with Florida State University. During his time in the Air Force, James rose to the rank of staff sergeant after three tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar.
James talked to HOOPSWORLD about his experiences in the military and how they will help him during his NBA career:
"I know how to be a professional, I'm disciplined and I'm going to work hard," James added. "I know how to be part of a team. I fill my role for the greater good of the group. I see the big picture. A lot of guys don't really have a grasp on that. They're only thinking about themselves and their game, rather than thinking about the big picture and the team. A lot of people are bred and trained from childhood to make it to this level, but I've had an entire life before this. Basketball came later on for me."
For more on the Florida State Seminoles visit Tomahawk Nation. For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page.