The foundation
Building stronger
futures.
The Mike James Foundation creates opportunities for young people through mentorship, mental wellness, education, basketball, and community.
About Mike
More than basketball.
Mike James is an NBA champion, and he is also a coach, a trainer, a mentor, and a community leader. The playing career, including a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, opened into the work he was already doing off the floor.
At Duquesne he studied child psychology and communication. While he was still playing, he coached young athletes in Houston, chaired a scholarship fund, and hosted Mike James Day for neighbors in Amityville.
From the court
to the community.
The career led into coaching, mentoring, and showing up for a neighborhood.
- Duquesne
Student-athlete
Graduated in 1998 in child psychology and communication. First-team All-Atlantic 10.
- 2004
NBA Champion
A championship with the Detroit Pistons, after an undrafted and international road.
- Houston
Coach and mentor
Founded and coached the Mike James Basketball Experience from 2005 to 2013.
- Today
Mike James Foundation
Wellness, education, mentorship, basketball, and community. LoveJoy Health is the care-access partner.
Why the foundation exists
Giving back has always been part of the journey.
The Houston program, the scholarship fund, and Mike James Day were already how Mike used the platform while the career was still going. The foundation holds that same work in one place for the young people coming up now.
Supporting young people where it matters most.
Mentorship, mental wellness, education, and community programs. Each one continues something Mike has already done.
Mentorship
A consistent adult beside a young person. Screening comes before anyone is matched.
Mental health & wellness
Mind of a Champion makes room to talk about pressure, setbacks, and life beyond the game.
Education & scholarships
College preparation, career exposure, and the scholarship fund Mike has already chaired.
Community programs
Mike James Day brings basketball, family, wellness, and the neighborhood into one day.
LoveJoy partnership
Making mental wellness part of the conversation.
LoveJoy Health is the foundation’s mental-health and care-access partner. Mike wants young people, athletes, and families to have a real next step after the conversation: resources, care navigation, and a path toward licensed support.
Mind of a Champion is that conversation. The LoveJoy patient app is where people join Mike’s community and find support. In a crisis, call or text 988.
Explore mental health
The work in our communities.
Youth served, scholarships, events, and programs will be published here once the numbers are verified.
Mental wellness
Emotional resilience and a path toward real support.
Education
Mentors and learning, continuing scholarship work already in Mike’s record.
The game
Basketball as a classroom for discipline and life off the court.
Community
Neighborhoods where Mike has shown up, and where the work goes next.
Help us keep the work going.
Your support helps us reach more young people, strengthen our programs, and create more opportunities in the communities we serve.