James is still EMU women’s basketball all-time career scoring leader.
By Leland Stein III
Former Detroit Mackenzie and Mumford star basketball player, Tavelyn James, was recently added to Eastern Michigan University’s noteworthy “Ring of Honor” at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
James’ honor was yet another in the strong Detroit Public School League (PSL) women’s basketball history, following the lead of King High’s legendary Markita Aldridge-Woods.
Wrote Tavelyn about receiving this honor: “I realized that it wasn’t the actual honoring . . . but, the time I was able to spend with my Eagles sisters, family and friends. I was honored that they were all there to support me for such a distinguished honor. I guess I’ll go down in history.”
For me, this is the kind of story that brings a special joy to my thoughts, and, I am sure it is the same for most teachers when they see their former students find their way in life — in any endeavor — and produce, as well as, receive positive results from the hard work extended to achieve their goals.
Years ago, well, not that many . . . Tavelyn was one of my hardest working students at Mackenzie High School in my English/journalism classes.
Some students come to you with accepting attitudes, clearly focused on classwork, and easily display respect for their teaches’ directives and classroom expectations – that was Tavelyn.
Not only was she a solid student, she was an exceptional basketball player, making All-State and All-City twice, and, was second in the state in scoring tossing in 23.2 points per game (ppg) her senior PSL year.
Because Mackenzie closed, Tavelyn went over to Mumford, just like Nick Perry went to King, helping legendary coach James Reynolds win the PSL’s first state title in football.
I am elated Eastern Michigan University placed Tavelyn in their “Ring of Honor.”
EMU should have; she surely earned it.
Tavelyn was a star on the court and in the classroom. As evident by her being the recipient of the 2012 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, which is presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to an outstanding 5-foot-8 and under athlete who excels both athletically and academically.
Tavelyn left EMU as the most prolific scorer in the history of its women’s basketball program and finished second in Mid American Conference (MAC) history with 2,470 total points.
She was the first player to score over 500 points in three consecutive seasons, twice averaging over 20 points per game, while finishing her outstanding career averaging 19 ppg.
James closed out her career at EMU as the first women’s basketball player from the MAC to compete in the Pan Am Games before the start of her senior campaign, Oct. 21-25, 2011, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Before completely retiring from basketball, Tavelyn played overseas a few years, before settling into her post-basketball career and life in the ATL.
Leland can be reached at lelstein3@aol.com
In the Game 