James Donaldson

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is James Donaldson: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you own something he signed — or you know who might — there is a note at the foot of this page.

Born in Heacham, England to an Air Force family, the 7-foot-2 center set the blocked-shot records at Washington State and played 14 NBA seasons. He led the league in field goal percentage in 1984-85, made the 1988 All-Star team with Dallas, and holds a curious record: 957 games without a single three-point attempt. His 49 games with the Jazz in the early 1990s came as injuries wound the career down, though he played on in Greece and Spain until age 41.

In the Seattle area he ran the Donaldson Clinic, a physical therapy practice, until 2018, worked as a motivational speaker, survived an aortic dissection in January 2018, and twice ran for mayor of Seattle.

HOW HE CAME & WENTAfter a stint with the Knicks the veteran center signed with Utah in April 1993 for the rest of the season, came back on 10-day contracts in January 1995 and stayed the rest of that season, playing 49 games in all. Re-signed in October 1995, he was waived that December without playing another game and finished his career in Europe.

Full name

James Lee Donaldson III

Utah Jazz tenure

1992–93, 1994–95

Position

Center

Born

1957, Heacham, England

Height

7′2″ (218 cm)

Weight

276 lb (125 kg)

College

Washington State

Drafted

1979, 4th round, Seattle