OFF COURT
LA’S CORNER
RE: A BLUE DEVIL ON THE RED CARPET!
For this month’s LA’s Corner, I interviewed Bobbi Baker-
James, wife of assistant coach Nate James. Bobbi is
an accomplished actress, having graduated from world-
renowned Juilliard and appearing in “House of Payne” and
Laura Ann Howard is now in her 19th
season as administrative assistant in the
“Madea Goes to Jail” among other impressive projects!
Duke Basketball office. She works closely
with our assistant coaches, coordinates
player autographing, keeps tabs on former
Also, Bobbi and Nate had their first child on July 26 when
players, staff and managers, and delivers
smiles at our offices on the fifth floor of
the Schwartz-Butters Center. The
Nathaniel Drake James III entered the world!!
Roxboro, NC native shares one of her
updates in LA’s Corner as part of every
issue of Blue Planet.
Our own in-house celebrity! Tell us how you got started in TV/film!?
My original plan in high school was to pursue a degree in journalism. I wanted to be a
news anchor. After attending a workshop at UCLA I discovered I didn’t really have what
it took to be in that field but I still loved being on camera so acting was the next best
thing to me. I claimed drama as a major at Western Carolina University never even hav-
ing done a play! They seemed to like me quite a bit because I was on stage year round.
After taking time to study abroad at The Oxford School of Drama (Oxford, England)
I figured I could benefit from a more intense program so I decided to audition for The
Juilliard School. I graduated from Juilliard in May of ‘07 and was signed to Tyler Perry
Studios in October. Prior to that, I was doing mostly theatre and occasionally I played
a cop on Guiding Light so the world of TV and film is really fairly new to me. I’m still
learning!
How did you meet Coach James?
I can’t help but laugh every time someone asks this question... We actually met at a
party/club which never seems to work out for most people. We met on a Friday, got
together again that Sunday, and we were inseparable for two weeks straight up until
GLAMOUR SHOT!
he had to go home for Mother’s Day. It was fast. There’s also still an ongoing debate
to this day as to who approached who that night. Any sensible human being would
and should believe me and my friends... not him and Chris (Carrawell)! I will admit
though, it wasn’t a hard sale at all. He flashed that smile and it was over! That and I saw his aura as he walked
through the crowd to approach me... It was green. I like green.
Who in the showbiz world who has "wowed" you that you have met so far?
I have been fortunate to meet several icons. I’ve met Cicely Tyson twice, Ruby Dee, Oprah, and
Sidney Poitier. Ms. Tyson gave me good words of wisdom and Mr. Poitier was very impressed
with my accomplishments, my training, and my husband. When I introduced Nate, he said,
“WELL...HE’S HANDSOME!” I think so too.
Is there anyone in particular who you would like to work with? Any upcoming projects in the works?
I would really love to work with Quentin Tarantino. I have a dark side but it doesn’t lack humor.
I’m really excited about some other roles and opportunities that I’m auditioning and being
considered for. Unfortunately it’s all hush hush right now for both legal reasons and fear-of-jinx.
Just keep your fingers crossed for me Duke!
Have you had any bizarre encounters with fans?
I’ve had a few weird encounters. One fan gave me all her personal info. I’m talking home ad-
dress, home and cell number, her title at work. Then she yells across the parking lot, “CALL
ME!” I just might one day too on three conditions: 1) I have to be really bored 2) my “good
deeds account” has to have a negative balance 3) I have to learn how to make my number not
Nate and Bobbi on
show up on caller ID!
the red carpet!
40 DUKE BASKETBALL
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