Basketballer James Beckom’s first year back in Cork was a huge success

THE past season has been one to remember for James Beckom of UCC Demons Basketball Club, who returned to Leeside following his graduation from college in the US and a brief period of play in Italy.

The savvy young shooting-guard picked up right where he left off many years ago through wasting no time in resuming success in a Demons jersey.

However, his homecoming was certainly not as smooth as he made it appear.

“I feel like I’m still adjusting.

“The biggest change has been having less training.

“I’ve gone from training five or six times a week for the last six years to just three times a week which has definitely taken a toll on my touch and probably my overall skill level.

“It’s also been difficult working all week before playing a game at the weekend, but I’ve become used to that at this point in time.” 

A turbulent year in the InsureMyVan.ie Super League was counteracted by attaining the most coveted prize in Irish Men’s basketball.

The 23 year-old was a key component of Danny O’Mahony’s side’s Pat Duffy National Cup winning campaign.  

His performance in the final was one of the reasons Demons won the game.  

When he was on the court, his intensity, his defence, and his all round display helped his side turn the tide and he was one of the best players on the court in the final.

Actually, his incredible performances in the cup run were one of the main reasons a UCC Demons side who were struggling in the Super League at the time of each cup game saw them beat teams who were favourites to beat them in every round, including a local derby game against Neptune.

“Going into every game, we felt like we could beat anybody.

“I think we may have stepped it up another gear in the cup competition knowing that it was a win or go home scenario, but the mentality never changed from game to game.” 

Beckom’s performances for the Northside club garnered the attention of the head coach of the Irish National Team, Mark Keenan.

Beckom featured in the squad alongside his club teammate, Dave Lehane, for a pair of games against Kosovo and Switzerland.

“It really was a great experience.

“Aside from it being the first team to compete in the FIBA World Cup Qualification stages, it was my first time being a part of the Senior Men’s Irish Team.

“So, being on a team with the best players from this country who are all competing at different levels around the world was a special experience.” 

The international window was a disappointing one on the scoreboard for an Irish outfit who fell in both outings against beatable opponents.

“It was truly humbling playing in Kosovo in a packed stadium where I played in front of ultras for the first time in my career.

“It’s an experience that I’m just really grateful for.” 

Beckom will be hopeful of earning a spot in Keenan’s side once again over the summer.

The reintroduction of college players who were unable to compete in the previous window like Neal Quinn of Richmond University and Sam Alajiki of Rice University will make it all the more challenging for Beckom, but the talented guard’s unwavering confidence will serve him well in pursuit of additional caps at the senior level.