2006
Did not run during the 2006 cross country season.
HIGH SCHOOL
One of the world’s premier junior performers in the 800 meters in 2006 … Clocked the fourth-best 800-meter time in the world by an athlete under the age of 18 with a PR of 1:48.64 … Won a gold medal in the event at the 2006 Carifta Games after clocking a time of 1:52.64 in the final heat … Was a finalist in the 800 meters at the 2005 IAAF World Junior Championships, finishing the meet in fifth place … Advanced to the finals at the World Championships in 2005 with a time of 1:50.31 in his semifinal heat, becoming the only athlete from the Western Hemisphere to compete in the event finals … Won a gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Championships in 2004 and 2006 … Was a five-time Junior National Champion in the 800 meters in his native Trinidad from 2002 through 2006.
PERSONAL
Full name is Jamaal Kamau James … Born on Sept. 4, 1988 … Son of Augustus and Carol James … Was born in Canada but is a resident of Trincity, Trinidad … Is the youngest of five children … Four siblings are Karlene, Kwame, Kwesi and Akil … His brother, Kwame James, is a professional basketball player in France … Is a standout on the track, but his first love is the sport of soccer … His potential as a middle distance runner in track and field was actually discovered while playing soccer in his native country.