MAYCEE JAMES is everything a point guard is supposed to be. The 5’7, 2022 PG hustles and plays with heart. She’s the type of player that brings an abundance of value to the game.
“She’s a natural.” I know, you’ve heard that said about so many girls that it’s starting to sound redundant. But here’s the thing, she really is. Her ability to communicate on the floor, see the court, and get the offense going makes her a dominant floor general.
While her teammates often come to her for a laugh, she turns to basketball to express herself. Says James, “I love being in the gym and I want that to show when I’m on the court. I want people to see how much I love the game without me saying anything.”
Well, mission accomplished. As I watched her handle each play with passion and poise, her love for the game was evident. She makes smart decisions under pressure, hustles on both ends of the floor, and attacks the rim regardless of who is defending the block.
If you tell her she plays like a girl, she’ll gladly take it as a compliment.
“Playing like a girl is a good thing. I play tough and I hate to lose. It’s not about how big or strong you are, it’s about how hard you work, said James.
If you think she’s been playing hard now, wait until she suits up for her first season at Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas. Oh, we forgot to mention that she transferred to play for her father who was recently hired as the head coach for the Lady Lions.
But honestly, there’s no pressure. Says James, “My dad never makes me go to the gym, I just do it because I love basketball and he supports me.”
Her mother is also supportive of her in many ways. She’s learned that she can have success by staying focused and working hard. In addition, her mother has taught her how to be a good person and treat others with respect.
When asked what her goals are for basketball, she simply replied: “I don’t care if I play D1 or JUCO. I just want to play on the college level and be successful wherever I go,” said James.
