Program Presenter - Jimmie Baker

Jimmie Baker, Jr. played on the J.V. basketball team while in the 10th grade in Philadelphia.  During 11th grade he made the All-Public and All-City teams and was tied for first place as leading scorer in the Public League.  He was considered one of the top basketball players on the east coast and started to receive college scholarship offers.

In his senior year, Jimmie averaged 27.5 points per game, leading the Philadelphia Public League in scoring.  He made the first teams for the All-Public, All-City, All-State and All-American teams.  In the Dapper Dan All-Star game, he was named MVP with 36 points and 19 rebounds.  He also won many awards in the Sonny Hill League, including the Wilt Chamberlain Best Pro Prospect Award.  He met Wilt and had his picture taken with him.  By the end of the season he had received over 200 college ball offers.
           
Jimmie chose the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and averaged 37 points and 19 rebounds a game.  He made the Freshman All-American teams and was the first and only freshman invited to try out for the 1972 Olympics.  Success continued after college, as Jimmie entered the professional basketball draft.  He was a 1st round draft pick by the Kentucky Colonels of the A.B.A., and a 2nd round draft pick by the 76’ers of the N.B.A.  He chose to play with the Kentucky Colonels.  However, after only one year of professional ball, his career ended when drug use caught up with him late one night.  Jimmie nearly died, losing his leg and the use of his arm. 

Now, determined to help others, Jimmie is a Certified Addictions Counselor with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Addictions Studies.  He co-founded and is President of Alternative Decisions, Inc., a non-profit corporation dedicated to human service issues for at-risk youth and adults, including addictions, prevention, recovery and conflict resolution.  His story has been featured on the front page of the Philadelphia Sunday Inquirer Sports Section.  He has won many awards including The Mayor John Street Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Philadelphia Community and a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Community Service Achievements and Commitment to Helping Philadelphia’s Youth from Philadelphia Making a Difference Against Guns, Drugs and Violence.

Jimmie focuses his programs on how his own inappropriate choices have led to his devastating encounters with homelessness, degradation and total despair.   This personal attestation, along with the dramatic display of the loss of his arm always has a breathtaking affect on his audience, leaving them stunned, yet empowered and personally moved.  He is invariably invited back for follow-up sessions for continuing inspiration and motivation.

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