Adopted shortly after birth by Bishop and Mrs. William Jackson of Yonkers, Jim began showing signs of his athletic prowess as a basketball player during his early years at P.S. #18. During the later years of elementary school he began playing competitively at the local Y.M.C.A. on Saturday mornings in the church league. In Junior high school he attended Ben Franklin and starred on their basketball team. After his family moved across town, Jim attended Charles E. Gorton High School where he had an excellent academic and basketball career. He led Gorton to to straight undefeated Yonkers City League Championships, and a Section 1 Class A-AA Open Championship. For those accomplishments he was twice selected to the All- City team (M.V.P. once), twice selected to the All-County team (M.V.P. once) , and also the scouting systems All American team.

After over 150 college offers he selected New Mexico State University, where he majored in Business Administration. He graduated with his degree and as a basketball player was selected to New Mexico State University’s Hall of Fame. While there he was twice selected to the All – Missouri Valley Conference team, the Coaches All - American team, and led his team to an N.C.A.A. Division 1 playoff berth.

Upon graduation he was drafted to the Kansas City Kings of the National Basketball Association, and also played with the Detroit Pistons of the same league. Jim also played in the Continental Basketball league, Eastern Basketball League, and the United States Basketball League and received All-Star status in each of those leagues. Currently he is Coordinator for Westchester Community Opportunity, Inc. in New Rochelle. He also is head Basketball Coach at New Rochelle High School. There he has led his team to three straight conference championship, a berth to the New York State Capital Region Tournament, while compiling a four year record of 76-16.