James Fields

Men's Basketball

‘Where Are They Now Wednesday’ – James Fields

Our student-athletes are what make Georgia State so special. Our 'Where Are They Now Wednesday' segments feature former student-athletes from across all of our sports and not only look back on their accomplishments, but where they are now.

A Georgia State favorite on and off the court, James "Boom" Fields enjoyed a four year career as a Panther and got to finish that career with a 'boom' as GSU had one of its most memorable seasons in program history. On the court he earned a starting role in his final two seasons to cap off 124 career games play which was second-most in school history at the time. Now he is back in his hometown of Savannah building a successful career while passing on his love of basketball to his son.

Talk a little bit about what you have been up to since finishing up at Georgia State nearly 10 years ago (work, sports, family)
In the last 10 years my primary focus has been taking care of my son, James Fields Jr., aka., JJ. JJ loves playing basketball just as much as I did.  I also helped my coach at my old high school, Beach High School for a while, but had to focus on my finances. 

Right now, I am working at the International Longshoremen Association in Savannah, Ga., where we load and unload containers off huge cargo ships. I'm also in the real-state business where I flip houses. My number one supporters are my family and all are doing great as well. 

Your senior year was a special one as you and your teammates put together one of the most remarkable seasons in program history. Talk a little bit about that season?
My senior season at Georgia State was by far my best year. We won and did it with class and style. I built a lot of love with my fellow teammates and we left it all on the court. We defeated teams like VCU which had never been done during the years I was there. The feeling of winning that year was great!! A year I will never forget, and I know my teammates feel say the same. As we look back at it, every year after that season has been a winning season for the program. Proud to say we started something great that year. 

How did your experience at GSU help you get to where you are now?
My Georgia State experience by far helped me to become the professional I am today. The coaches and staff helped groom me into this person. The standards that my coaches instilled in me, from Coach Rod Barnes to Coach Ron Hunter. They both just wanted us to grow into successful men first and basketball was always second. Those life lessons these two men shared with me is my daily motivation to push hard, my reason to exceed beyond measures. They preached it to us every day. Obtaining my degree from a great college allows me to show my son that it's possible to make it happen.  

When you finished your career you were among the top 10 in school history in games played, steals, and assists. From the time you started at GSU coming out of Savannah, did you ever dream your career would play out the way it did.
To be honest I'm still honored to have accomplished those stats. Did I ever dream of this, no I did not! To come from Savannah, Ga., the neighborhood I grew up in; that's amazing. I've always wanted to be a role model for the people that came after me and that's what made me strive to be great. To reach for the NBA and be the first person from my neighborhood to make it big. I may not have made it to NBA, but I motivated the next person who come behind me to go farther than myself.

Do you still stay in touch with any of your teammates from back in the days?
Yes, I stay in touch with majority of everyone. Everyone is doing great for themselves and have great jobs. We still support one another just like our coaches taught us to do. It's forever a brotherhood with us and I love Coach Rod Barnes and Coach Ron Hunter for that. 

The team took trips all over the place during your career at GSU. Do you have a trip that sticks out that you really enjoyed?
The trip that outweighs them all was that trip to Bahamas. It was my first time going there and we had lots of fun, great team chemistry, and bonding moments. The tall buildings and clear water made it a great experience and one I'll never forget. 

All these years later, is there something you wish you could go back and tell the college version of yourself?
No, there isn't anything I will change about my college experience, good or bad. Being able to attend Georgia State University was a blessing and I'm forever grateful. I graduated with a Human Resources degree from a great college. I wouldn't take anything back. More than anything I'm thankful and humble.

And finally, where did the nickname 'Boom' come from?
The name Boom came from the cartoon show, The Flintstones. 

At first my nickname was "Bam Bam" because growing up I was bad and would always get in a lot of trouble. It then changed to "Boom Boom." After I got a little older it was cut to just BOOM.
 
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