Tamara James is an American basketball former player, formerly of the WNBA's Washington Mystics. She is an alumna of the University of Miami, where she majored in liberal arts with a concentration in theater studies. James was selected by the Mystics in the first round, eighth overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. James spent 9 years as a professional basketball player, mostly overseas in Israel. In Israel, James won 2 Cup Championships and 1 League Championship. She had a son in 2011. On November 8, 2016, James was elected Mayor of Dania Beach, the oldest community in Broward County, Florida.