Former Lady Saluqi player Mary James is in her sixth season as an assistant coach for the Southwest women’s basketball team. James played for Coach Isaiah Wade at Raleigh-Egypt High School in Memphis where she was a defensive specialist who led the team in steals in each of her three seasons.

She went on to play at Shelby State Community College under coaches Herbert Wright (1995-96) and Andrea Martre (1996-97). James then became a juvenile correctional officer at Youth Village in Bartlett and was also the assistant coach at Raleigh-Egypt High School for four years.

In 2000, she became one of the youngest female referees in women’s college basketball and has worked games in both the Trans South Conference and NJCAA. James is currently the head coach at KIPP Academy Middle School in addition to coaching at Southwest.

She has been married to William James and has two children, Samantha and J’Tavious.