Jim Potter ’91 is the best basketball player in the history of Bishop Kelly High, and the most accomplished athlete to ever walk the halls on Franklin Road.  A professional basketball player for the past 15 years, Potter recently announced his retirement. The news was first reported in the United States at BKfootball.com.

Potter led BK to its first-ever State Championship in basketball before embarking upon a stellar career at Idaho State University, capped by his senior season average of 18.9 points and 9.5 rebound per game — the type of numbers that get a guy noticed by scouts around the globe.  Jim was inducted into the ISU Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, where he  joined some honorees familiar to BK fans such as the late Nick Ysursa ’70 and  former coach Chuck Forrestal.

1. You’ve had an outstanding basketball career, all the way to the professional level, but recently left Mons. What is next for you?

I have been lucky enough to play pro ball for 15 years.   This past April I developed a stress fracture in my right foot.  Misdiagnosed and 6 months later I am still having problems so my playing days at a high level are over.  I was looking into coaching with my former pro team but we could not agree on terms of a contract. The next decision was easy — move back to the states and take a big hand at running our business. (Arctic Circle in Pocatello) That is what I am doing now and will for the near future. My wife will recertify her teaching certificate and hopefully become an Frech teacher as she has become fluent.  I do think about coaching someday, but my focus is on our business.

2. Will we be seeing you in Boise at all?

My dad and his wife live in Boise and we will come down to visit them as well as my wife’s sister, only not often enough. Boise was always — and is — an amazing city with so much to offer a family like mine. For now however, we will stay in Pocatello developing our business and see what the future brings.

3.   Any interest in staying involved in basketball down the road, maybe assisting Larry Crump at BK?

I have been very bad at staying in touch with some great people, Neil McCarthy and Larry Crump most notably, but I would love to somehow get involved with BK and its basketball tradition.  May be difficult living in Poky, but the desire is there. I could have done a much better job at keeping in touch over the years as I have so much gratitude to many people for helping me achieve my dreams.

4. What are the three best things about being a professional basketball player?

First is the fact I could expose my family to another part of the world, another language (my wife and 2 girls are excellent French speakers….I am ok.) We lived one and a half hours from Paris and have been there hundreds of times as well as to other parts of Europe. My daughters were able to go to French speaking schools since age 2 1/2.  Second, I was able to travel all over Europe and see things I never dreamed. Third, I was able to spend so much time with my family and really be involved with my kids as they have grown.

5. What is your most memorable moment in basketball as a BK Knight?

Several come to mind as I had such a great time playing at BK.  The biggest and best, of course, was winning the state title in 1991. For many reasons that was the best.

6. Who will be your teammates in the annual BK Alumni 3-on-3 tournament?

I have no idea but I will look into it.  [Not Abe. Not Cory. - Ed.] I want to know all about things coming up that I may be able to attend now that I am back…a lot depends on family and business but I look forward to doing a lot of things with BK.