Worthy, nicknamed Big Game James, was a college and professional basketball player from Gastonia, North Carolina. 

As a stand-out basketball player for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, he won the 1982 NCAA championship while at UNC before being drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. As a Laker, he contributed to 3 NBA championships in 1985, 1987, and 1988. He was best known for his one-handed tomahawk slam dunks, as well as his ability to glide seemingly effortlessly through the air to the basket. He was a member of the 1983 NBA all-rookie team (unanimous choice) as well as being voted the 1988 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

Worthy played in 926 NBA games, had a career field goal percentage of .521, and averaged 17.6 points per game (21.1 points per playoff game). He was a first-ballot inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004. His Jersey (#42) was retired by the Los Angeles Lakers after his retirement. Since his retirement from the NBA, Worthy has done color commentary for Lakers pre-game shows on KCAL, a local Los Angeles television station. Worthy has also been a senior vice president of RP & Associates in Hermosa Beach, California.