Jody Lumpkin

Jody Lumpkin (born August 13, 1978) is an American former professional basketball player who is better known for his collegiate career at the College of Charleston between 1998–99 and 2000–01. As of 2016, he is a schoolteacher and coaches high school basketball in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina.

Playing career

High school When Jody Lumpkin graduated from Hammond School in 1996, he chose to play at Rice University over his other top candidates Davidson College, the University of Pennsylvania, the College of Charleston (CofC), and the University of Maryland. He had averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per game in his junior year of high school prior to committing early to Rice in October 1995. They earned a berth into the NCAA tournament but lost to Tulsa in the round of 64.

The Cougars won two more conference regular season championships in Lumpkin's final two collegiate seasons, but because they failed to win the SoCon Tournament either time, they did not earn bids to any postseason tournaments. Lumpkin increased his scoring averages in each of those seasons. Lumpkin found that playing professionally in Europe was not what he looked for from the sport. In a 2007 interview, he said "he basketball over there was a bit of a letdown after playing at the College of Charleston. It was very much like punching a time clock. With player turnover and coaching turnovers, it was a lot like a job. I had six coaches in three years."

Post basketball life In 2004, Lumpkin and his wife, Maggie, moved back to Columbia, South Carolina. He became a schoolteacher at Hammond School teaching calculus. He also became an assistant boys' basketball coach. Later he went on to become the Upper School Head of Hammond School.