Shelby James
Shelby James (born October 29, 1973 in Orlando, Florida United States) was an Amateur American "Old School" Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racer whose prime competitive years were from 1982 to 1990. Starting at age six, it could be said that Shelby James was one of the best racers never to turn pro. From the first year of competition in 1979 he was winning titles. In part due to his large size for his age, he was already 5' 11" by the age of 13 in June 1988 and then 6'1" at 14 years of age, he was one of  the most dominatant amateur racers since Richie Anderson (who was also for time larger than normal for his peer group). However, his first love was basketball and always had the intention to become a professional basketball player in the background of his mind. In 1990 after an injury during a race, he quit BMX to pursue that dream. Racing career milestones. Note: Professional first are on the national level unless otherwise indicated. Retired: In early 1990 after suffering an injury to his chest in a crash at the NBL Easter Classic on April 15, 1990, James retired from BMX to  pursue his dream of becoming a professional Basketball player. This was practically confirmed by an April "BMX Plus!" article writing about another racer, Shawn Bone, when he quit the Robinson Products racing team giving up BMX for the Basketball court: Career factory and major bike shop sponsors. Note: This listing only denotes the racer's primary sponsors. At any given time a racer could have numerous ever-changing co-sponsors. Primary sponsorships can be verified by BMX press coverage and sponsor's advertisements at the time in question. When possible exact dates are used. Career bicycle motocross titles. Note: Listed  are District, State/Provincial/Department, Regional, National, and International titles in "italics". "Defunct" refers to the fact of that sanctioning body in question no longer existing at the start of the racer's career or at that stage of his/her career. Depending on point totals of individual racers, winners of Grand Nationals do not necessarily win National titles. Series and one off Championships are also listed in block. Amateur. National Bicycle Association (NBA) National Pedal Sport Association (NPSA) National Bicycle League (NBL) American Bicycle Association (ABA) International Bicycle Motocross Federation (IBMXF) Fédération Internationale Amateur de Cyclisme (FIAC)* Independent race  series and Invitationals Basketball player. BMX magazine covers. Note: Only magazines that were in publication at the time of the racer's career(s) are listed unless specifically noted. Minicycle/BMX Action & Super BMX: Bicycle Motocross Action & Go: BMX Plus!: Total BMX Bicycles and Dirt: BMX World (1990 version): Bicycles Today' & BMX Today (The official NBL membership publication under two different names): ABA Action, American BMXer, BMXer (the official ABA membership publication under three different names):