James Posey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
James Posey

Posey with the New Orleans Hornets
Washington Wizards
Assistant coach
Personal information
Born	(1977-01-13) January 13, 1977 (age 47) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
High school	R. B. Chamberlain (Twinsburg, Ohio)
Listed height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight	217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	Xavier (1996–1999)
NBA Draft	1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18th overall
Selected by the Denver Nuggets
Pro career	1999–2011
Coaching career	2013–present
League	NBA
Career history
As player:
1999–2002	Denver Nuggets
2002–2003	Houston Rockets
2003–2005	Memphis Grizzlies
2005–2007	Miami Heat
2007–2008	Boston Celtics
2008–2010	New Orleans Hornets
2010–2011	Indiana Pacers
As coach:
2013–2014	Canton Charge (assistant)
2014–2019	Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2022–present	Washington Wizards (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player: 2× NBA champion (2006, 2008) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2000) First-team All-Atlantic 10 (1999) As assistant coach: NBA champion (2016)
Career NBA statistics
Points	4,214 (8.6 ppg)
Rebounds	4,532 (4.7 rpg)
Assists	903 (1.6 apg)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  United States Goodwill Games Gold 1998 New York Team competition

James Mikely Mantell Posey Jr. (born January 13, 1977) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played the small forward position for the Denver Nuggets, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, the New Orleans Hornets, and the Indiana Pacers. Posey won NBA championships as a member of the 2006 Miami Heat and the 2008 Boston Celtics.

College career

After attending High School in Twinsburg, Ohio, Posey came to Xavier University in the 1995–96 season, but under Prop 48 rules, was ineligible, so sat out his freshman year. Posey ranks 16th on Xavier's all-time scoring list with 1,455 points and 10th on Xavier's all-time rebounding list with 801. Posey led XU in rebounding in each of his three seasons as a Musketeer. Posey earned a long list of honors while at Xavier, including the 1998 Atlantic 10 Championship "Most Outstanding Player" Award in helping XU win its first-ever A-10 Tournament Championship. Posey earned the A-10's "Sixth Man Award" twice and was named 1999 A-10 First Team and 1999 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He did all of that while not being a consistent starter in the Xavier lineup, almost always coming off the bench and Posey became well sought after from several sports agents such as Bill Duffy, Andy Miller, Craig McKenzie and Mark Bartelstein. With their permission Posey allowed his interviews to be held in front of the media of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Professional career

Denver Nuggets (1999–2002)

Posey was selected out of Xavier University by the Denver Nuggets with the 18th pick of the 1999 NBA draft. His rookie season, Posey averaged 8.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game en route to being named to the all-rookie second team.

On December 22, 2001, Posey scored a then career-high 33 points during a 105-101 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

In total, Posey played a little over three seasons with the team.

Houston Rockets (2002–2003)

Posey was sent to the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal also involving the Philadelphia 76ers on December 18, 2002.

Memphis Grizzlies (2003–2005)

After finishing the season with the Rockets, Posey signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as a free agent in the 2003 off-season.

On March 29, 2004, Posey scored a career-high 38 points, including making a three-point shot to force a second overtime, during a 136-133 win against the Atlanta Hawks.

Miami Heat (2005–2007)

On August 2, 2005, Posey was involved in the largest trade in NBA history, which involved 13 players and five different teams. Through this trade, the Miami Heat acquired point guard Jason Williams, forward Antoine Walker, shooting guard Andre Emmett, and the draft rights to Roberto Dueñas. The Memphis Grizzlies received shooting guard Eddie Jones, and point guard Raül López. Boston, who dealt Walker to the Heat, received a package that included Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Albert Miralles, two second-round draft picks, and cash. The Boston Celtics also picked up Curtis Borchardt. Utah was able to acquire center Greg Ostertag, and the New Orleans Hornets acquired small forward Rasual Butler and shooting guard Kirk Snyder. Posey averaged 7.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 2005–06.

After that somewhat disappointing regular season with Miami, Posey performed much better in the playoffs than expected. He had been a starter during the regular season, but head coach Pat Riley made the change of having Posey come off the bench for the playoffs. As the Heat's sixth man, Posey was able to average 11.8 points per game on 48.8% shooting against Miami's first-round opponent, the Chicago Bulls. Against Miami's second-round opponent, the New Jersey Nets, Posey was forced to play defense, particularly guarding Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson. Although Posey's scoring dropped, his defense was said to have been the key to the Heat's advancement into the conference finals.

Posey again had to focus on defense against Miami's third-round opponent, the Detroit Pistons, particularly guarding Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and even sometimes Chauncey Billups or Rasheed Wallace. Posey's defense was able to take the pressure off of Miami's scorers like Dwyane Wade, Jason Williams and Antoine Walker so that they could focus on their strengths on the offensive end.

In the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, Posey was a key factor on both ends of the court. Defensively, he, along with Udonis Haslem, provided tough defense on the Mavericks All-Star, Dirk Nowitzki. He also guarded Josh Howard, who had caused problems for Miami when Antoine Walker was guarding him. On the offensive end, Posey played a huge role in knocking down shots as a result of Miami's All-Stars, Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, being double-teamed and needing to pass the ball. In Game 4 of the Finals, Posey was very impressive in Miami's blowout, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. In Game 6, Posey hit a huge shot to give Miami an 87–81 advantage with four minutes remaining; Miami would win the game 95–92. Posey averaged 7.3 points and 6 rebounds in the Finals.

On July 1, 2006, Posey exercised his $6.4 million contract option, opting not to become a free agent. He only played in 4 playoff games in the 2006–07 season, because the Heat were eliminated in the first round.

Boston Celtics (2007–2008)

Posey in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks as a member of the Boston Celtics

On August 25, 2007, Posey signed with the Boston Celtics, adding to their revamped roster, including newcomers Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Terms of the deal were roughly $6.67 million over 2 years, with the second year being Posey's option. In the 2008 NBA Finals, Posey would win his second NBA championship, once again helping his team with tough defense and timely baskets at crunch time. On June 30, 2008, in a widely anticipated move, Posey opted out of the second and final year of his contract with the Celtics and became an unrestricted free agent, but had stated that he wanted to return to the Celtics on a new contract.

New Orleans Hornets (2008–2010)

On July 16, 2008, Posey signed with the New Orleans Hornets, accepting a four-year deal worth about $25 million.

Indiana Pacers (2010–2011)

On August 11, 2010, New Orleans sent Posey, along with Darren Collison, to the Pacers in a four-team, five-player trade with the New Jersey Nets and the Houston Rockets. On December 12, 2011, Posey was amnestied by the Pacers.

Coaching career

In September 2013, Posey was hired by the Canton Charge as an assistant coach for the 2013–14 season.

On August 19, 2014, Posey was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach for the 2014–15 season. In his second season with the Cavaliers, the team earned the 2016 NBA Finals Championship over the 73-win Golden State Warriors.

On July 26, 2022, Posey was hired by the Washington Wizards as an assistant coach.

Media career

James Posey currently has a weekly Podcast titled “The Posecast" on the Basketballnews.com Podcast Network where he's joined by his former teammates and people from around the NBA. He also writes weekly articles for the site focused on the NBA.

Personal life

Posey has one son, Jace Posey, who is a guard/small forward at Strake Jesuit High School in Houston, Texas, a 4-star recruit of the Class of 2023 and committed to play college basketball at TCU.

In March 2008, Posey's girlfriend gave birth to daughter, Sai Aleke, in the Washington, D.C. area.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2004	Memphis	4	4	32.5	.405	.167	.905	5.5	1.0	2.3	.5	12.5
2005	Memphis	4	0	25.0	.440	.467	.769	3.3	1.0	.5	.3	9.8
2006†	Miami	22	1	27.5	.430	.422	.730	5.7	.9	.8	.1	7.3
2007	Miami	4	1	34.8	.385	.316	1.000	7.8	1.5	2.0	1.3	7.8
2008†	Boston	26	0	22.0	.437	.398	.875	3.6	1.1	1.0	.3	6.7
2009	New Orleans	5	0	24.6	.375	.263	.846	6.2	.6	.6	.0	11.4
Career		65	6	25.7	.421	.387	.831	4.8	1.0	1.0	.3	7.9

See also

In Spanish: James Posey para niños