James Blackmon....Where is he now?

james_blackmon James Blackmon arrived in Lexington during the 1983-84 season from Marion, Indiana.

Blackmon was a heavily recruited prep star who earned McDonalds All-American and Parade All-American honors.

As a freshman appearing in all 34 games Blackmon, would show glimpses of what made him the high school All-American that he was. Blackmon was 1 of only 5 players on that seasons roster to play in all 34 games.

In only his second game in the blue and white, Blackmon led Kentucky and scored 14 pts in only 21 minutes of action vs rival Indiana. It was quite a performance for the young freshman vs his home state school. Blackmon would only score in double figures once more as a freshman later in the year vs Mississippi when he tallied 15pts.

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Blackmon seemed poised to really breakout as his Sophmore season began. James scored 17, and 16 respectively in the first 2 games of the season.

The following games Blackmon hit a wall scoring only 5 points vs Southern Methodist and then putting up back to back goose eggs vs UofL and IU. After getting it back together to put up some solid games including a 16 pt performance vs Georgia, Blackmon again hit a wall and in the final 14 games was unable to score more than 6 pts in a game.

James Blackmons' junior season was statistically his best at UK. He seemed to finally put it all together and played consistently for the entire season. Blackmon would even record a career high 11 rebounds in a game vs Davidson and recored 22 and 7 vs Alabama earlier in the season.

Blackmons' senior season wouldn't be as strong as his junior season statiscally. Part of that was due to Ed Davender and highly touted freshman Rex Chapman being the top 2 scoring options. James would have some stellar games including his career high 27 vs Auburn.

After Blackmons' college days came to an end James was drafted in the 5th round of the 1987 NBA Draft #94 overall although he never played in the NBA.

James would later get into teaching and is currently coaching high school basketball in Indiana. James returned to his high school teaching and assitant coaching for Marion.

Blackmon is now the coach for Bishop Luers HS in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With the help of 2010 stud and Ohio State commit DeShaun Thomas, Blackmon has coached Bishop Luers to back to back state 2A titles and a record of 86-32 in 5 years.

Recent reports state that Blackmon was offered the job at his alma matter Marion High School who were the class 4A runner up but turned it down as he prepares to make another run at the title with Bishop Luers.

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