Massillon man overcomes painful past, now teaches free basketball lessons
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MASSILLON, Ohio — It's a comeback story for Massillon's Jim Inama, and now he's giving back while sharing his journey.
After what he’s been through at the age of 68, it's incredible.
"I didn't touch basketball from basically 31 to 61," Inama says.
Back surgery at age 31 was the first of multiple operations, and the pain was too much to overcome. His arthritis became so bad, his doctor told him he may never play any game again.
It was devastating news for a sports junkie.
"I love football, I love basketball, I love baseball, I love golf, so I've just always been around sports," Inama explained.
And because of his daughter with Down syndrome, he would once again be back in the gym. They inspired each other, as his "comeback" story is one of survival for Susan, who is facing serious health issues after refusing to exercise.
"I was in a lot of pain, and I was scared at the time," Susan recalled. "It was just like a regular nightmare thing."
"So we came into the gym. She loved basketball, so she loved to shoot, she loved to get on the bike. She loved to get on the treadmill," Jim said. "So I got her to lose 74 pounds. In the meantime, I'm rebounding for her for like nine months, and I'm saying, 'Why aren't I not shooting?"
Susan's health improved while Jim found a system to manage his pain. Jim then took a "shot" to help others, recently releasing a YouTube video entitled, "Can you out shoot a 68 yr old from deep?"
"Hopefully my story will inspire people (to know) that even with injuries, that you can come back and you can start doing the things that you used to love to do," Jim told 3News.
The 1974 St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate says his mission is to also reach more athletes, helping train students to become better shooters.
"He showed me a lot of stuff I'd never seen before," Lutheran West sophomore Aiden Monroe said. "He helped me improve my skills, and he's a great person to be around."
Inama doesn't charge his students; the lessons are free at the Jackson Township YMCA, which helps those who can't afford a trainer. He's hoping more people come out and try to outshoot a 68-year-old from deep!