๐ฏ๐ฏBlessed and thankful to be joining the Mizzou family!๐ฏ๐ฏ Looking forward to the journey ahead with
@CoachPingeton
& staff. Letโs get it! ๐๐ฅ
๐๐๐๐ Wings Up! ๐๐๐๐
I am so thankful for this opportunity and excited to be a part of the
@TTUWBB
FAMILY! Itโs grind time. Letโs go! ๐ค๐๐๐ฆ
My niece gave me a little assistance while recruiting this morning ๐ฅฐ. Faith wanted to help find some future Golden Eagles! Well..... thatโs what she did until cocomelon came on. ๐๐
Starting my day off with some foam rolling (and a 7 mile run) to make sure Iโm good and loose to get from court 1 to court 80 today! ๐ RUN 4 THE ROSES DAY 2 - letโs go!! ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ
#JulyRecruiting
6am flight to go see some of our fav recruits! The boss is on the road headed to her destination as well! Future Tigers - we will see you soon! ๐ฏ๐๐ฅโ๏ธ
Since I was a kid, daddy/daughter workouts have been our thing. Back then we were always in the bball gym. Now we spend our time lifting & doing cardio together. My guy had a birthday yesterday & came to hang with me in Columbia - truly cherishing all of these moments! โค๏ธ
Heart FULL of gratitude. A few years ago, I was in Indy coaching my travel team @ Hoosier Heat. Today I get to go recruit for the first time at the same tourney. So please excuse me as I smile from ear to ear ALL WEEK. However โJob still not finishedโ. Time to SOAR ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฅ
Parents : Stop being upset with your childโs coach for the results that your child is getting due to the work that your child did NOT put in! ๐คซ The month of July is exposing all the gym rats vs the people who just show up to hoop.
#TheWorkDontLie
๐ฃItโs Gameday!! Well... Actually itโs Wedding Day ๐๐โค๏ธThe baby of the James family will officially become a Barge tonight. Looking forward to an awesome day of celebrating love with family.
#BargeInLove
My nephew did not think that I would make it back to Memphis for his birthday. โผ๏ธSURPRISEโผ๏ธ Seeing his smile made the drive 100% worth it. Happy 11th birthday, J! โค๏ธ
At the beginning of quarantine, I vowed to come out in better shape than I went in. As of yesterday, โฌ๏ธ 17lbs. Moral of the story: The grind is faithful to those who are faithful to the grind! Set a goal and make sure your work and discipline are aligned with what you want. ๐ค๐ช๐พ
After 12hrs of labor, my niece (Faith) has made her arrival into the world. Laying 19 inches long & weighing in at 6lbs 5oz, our future 5โญ๏ธ PG is here! Now accepting offers! ๐๐
Woke up this morning excited about being able to get back on the phone with some special hoopers! Some oldโฆ some newโฆ Mizzou is calling you ๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ
#MIZ
Thankful and Blessed to see another year! Turning 29 on the 29th - Yโall know what that means? Itโs my Golden Year! More goals, more grind, more life. Letโs rock out 29! ๐ค๐๐๐ฅณ
Past 10 yrs: Played @ UGA (3 sweet 16โs, 1 Elite 8), graduated college, Lived/Played in 5 countries, drafted/played WNBA, became head coach @ my alma mater, got baptized & dedicated my life to Christ, became the DOBO @ SIUE, & relocated to Illinois. 10 CRAZY BLESSED YEARS! ๐ญ๐๐พ
#WNBADraft
- 9 years ago, I was blessed to have my name called as my dream of playing in the WNBA came true! Best wishes to all of the hoopers out there looking to do the same tonight. This is a day youโll never forget! ๐๐ฅ
#WNBADraft
- 7 years ago, I was blessed to be drafted and live out my childhood dream. Best wishes to the female ballers preparing to hear their names called tonight to live out their dreams as well!
It makes my heart smile to scroll social media and always see our crew hanging together. Family is more than a word around here. Special! ๐
#WingsUp
Cooking dinner for my parents. Christmas music blaring. Preparing to wrap gifts. So very thankful for these moments with them. Lord, thank you! ๐๐พโค๏ธ
๐ Look at who got her 1st basketball today! Sheโs currently 100% from the field, has 0 turnovers in her career, and has never lost - the ultimate PG! As previously stated, her recruitment is wide open at the moment and we are accepting all scholarship offers! ๐๐๐ฅ
Usually as a Coach when you go back and watch the game youโre checking Xโs and Oโs. I caught myself watching our bench. Energy was on ๐ฏ from the whole team. Special crew right here!
#CultureWins
Today we celebrated my Grandmotherโs 75th Birthday. So thankful to be able to share this day with her. Such a blessing. Happy Birthday, Grandma! ๐ฅณโค๏ธ
I wanted fried chicken and greens for dinner. My sister wanted pork chops and Mac n cheese.
Momโs solution: โIโll cook fried chicken, pork chops, greens, Mac n cheese, and cornbread.โ
1) I AM STUFFED. ๐๐ 2) Mom is the ๐ 3) Soul food always hits.
My dad: โI donโt want a big meal for dinner. Something smallโ
My mom: โOkโฆ Iโll do something smallโ
Yโallโฆ. I just walked in the kitchen to fix a plate. Thereโs turkey necks, ribs, chicken wings, collard greens, Mac and cheese, cornbread, yams, AND pecan pie.
๐ ๐
2 yrs ago, I was a high school coach talking their heads off about how I was going to be a college coach someday. So to be able to share this past year with them was special. Truly the best support system! Thankful! ๐
#JamesGang
Huge win for our team tonight vs Bolton (62 to 51) to advance to the District championship! The fight, focus, and execution that I witnessed tonight from
@_Lady_Panthers
was awesome! On to the championship game Tuesday!
#TrustTheProcess
#LadyPantherBasketball
I have a question: Can we all be nice to each other again? Because whew ๐ Some kindness, love, and unity would be awesome. Ya know, the stuff that weโre taught in like kindergarten?
My parents are celebrating 34 years of marriage this weekend ๐ฉ๐ฅฐ. Blessed and thankful for such great role models! Happy Anniversary! ๐ฅณโค๏ธ
#JamesGang
โค๏ธ๐ Happy Birthday, Dad ๐โค๏ธ
Thankful.
For our daddy-daughter relationship. For the life lessons. For all of the times growing up that you were on the couch watching Sunday football & I made you come outside โto see my new Allen Iverson moveโ ๐. Thankful for it all. Love U
So glad to be getting ready to hit the floor and go to work with our crew. Last year on this day we were all on vacation - this year we are in the gym working. We find out our WNIT destination tomorrow.
#WingsUpInMarch
๐๐ฅ
Last season at Bartlett we simply had 12 girls show up for tryouts. Fast forward to last night - we had 24 girls show up. From 12 to 24! So thankful for the group that put in the work to start building something last yr & bring excitement back to the program.
#Growth
๐๐พ
Everything going on in the world right now is heavy. Shooting after shooting of innocent people just trying to go about their daily lives. Grocery stores should be safe. Malls should be safe. Churches should be safe. Schools should be safe. Heartbreaking! ๐
Currently preparing to stand beside one of my best friends, Jasmine Hassell, as she gets married today. Seems like it was just yesterday we were teenagers talking about our dreams of "our future weddings". Now, her special day has arrived!
Tracking my fitness journey has become one of my favorite things to do. I am NOT a runner (primarily bc it use to cause my joints so much pain), but over the past few months, I have gotten back into top shape. Completed 7 miles in 62mins this morning pain free! Blessing! ๐๐พโโ๏ธ๐จ
โToo many of us want hot pocket blessings when God specializes in crock pot annointings.โ - Pastor Jeremy Foster
Let that sink in. Trust His timing and His plan!
Have a great day!
Today I took my nephew to the University of Memphis womenโs basketball game. His face completely lit up when HC Penny Hardaway walked in the gym. Coach doesnโt know it yet, but this kid will be a future recruit. ๐๐๐ฅ
About 5 months ago I realized that my right leg (tore ACL 5 years ago) was still significantly smaller than my left so Iโve had to lock in on working legs way more than usual. Just finished my workout, examined them - ALMOST THERE! ๐ค๐ช๐พ
Set a goal โ
Grind โ
Grind some more โ
I am literally having the time of my life coaching right now. I know that there will be good days and there will be bad days, but the joy that I feel doing this is so rewarding.
I look forward to the day that my nieces ask me for something basketball or sports related. But until then I guess Iโll just keep buying LOL Dolls ๐ฉ
Literally had to go back to my college preseason days this morning and talk/cheer myself through my entire workout ๐ If you know what thatโs like YOU KNOW!
This past week has been very mentally & emotionally draining for a lot of people. Make sure that youโre taking care of yourself and keeping your mental health a priority.
Please keep the Lackey family &
@_Lady_Panthers
in your thoughts and prayers today as we lay one of our outstanding basketball mothers to rest. Rest In Peace, Mrs Lackey ๐
My nephew use to live in the gym with me. On days when we didnโt go to the gym, he would have the cones and chairs out in the driveway working. Itโs been a while since we have been able to do so, but today we spent hours outside playing and working like old times. My guy โค๏ธ
People ask me all of the time, "why did you walk away from playing basketball?".. I did it because the gratification that I feel helping the youth is much greater than any gratification I ever felt shooting a ball. I've found my calling & my purpose!
Coach Strickland & Banshees 2024 went undefeated & took home the 1st place trophy from the Battle at the Hive tourney. โผ๏ธ Coaches there are severally BCS level kids on this team โผ๏ธ Check them out this spring/summer!
I believe that itโs so easy to get frustrated, bothered, have anxiety, etc about everything going on in the world right now. Had to remind myself this morning that the comfort and peace that we are all looking for comes from the LORD.
Everyone: โI need to get this, this, and this done for the wedding before Aubrie wakes up and starts running around.โ
*5 seconds later*
Here comes Aubrie. ๐โค๏ธ
Itโs her world. We just live in it. However, let wedding weekend begin
@4everDestiny_
&
@JoshBarge12
!
Reflection moment: ONLY 4 players currently dressing out on our team logged ANY varsity minutes last year. 2 out of those 4 missed the majority of last season w/ season ending knee injuries. District runner up? Great accomplishment!
#LadyPantherBasketball
#TrustTheProcess
The work always pays off. You may not see it today, tomorrow, or even next year but in due time it all comes together. Stay focused, keep working, & trust your process!
Headed to practice on this Saturday morning with a heart full of gratitude. Thankful that I โget toโ with a great group of young ladies. 2 days away from GAMEDAY! Letโs goooooo! ๐ฏ๐ฅ
#MIZ
My mom always goes crazy cooking when I come visit. Tonightโs dinner = salmon, chicken breast, pot roast, greens, Mac and cheese, cornbread, yams, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, and homemade strawberry cake. Safe to say today was a cheat day! Whew ๐
Running 6-8 miles at the gym (on a treadmill) is WAY different than running 6-8 miles through Bartlett while hitting every hill and incline possible. If you see me walking or taking a significant break at a crosswalk donโt worry - Iโm not stranded, just TIRED. ๐ฉ๐