James Earl Ray (July 27, 1957 – December 26, 2023) was an American professional basketball player. After playing college basketball for the Jacksonville Dolphins, he was selected fifth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1980 NBA draft. He subsequently played three seasons for the team, appearing in 103 games and finishing with career averages of 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Moving to Europe, he went on to play professionally in Italy, Spain and Turkey.
Post-career
In 2001, Ray was diagnosed with sarcoidosis.[1] Due to his failing health and financial challenges, the NBA's retired players association provided him support.[2] In 2008, Ray received a lung transplant, soon after receiving a diagnosis of having three months to live without one. The likelihood of receiving a transplant had been rated poorly, due to his need, at 6'9, of receiving lungs from a person taller than 6'5.[3] He died on December 26, 2023, at the age of 66.[4]
