Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-442-6062

Talk to an advisor (9 AM-9 PM EST): 866-925-2803

Not everyone is fortunate enough to get everything they love rolled into one well--paying job. Not everyone is  

JAMES LAFFERTY

 , star of the formet WB hit "One Tree Hill."

"I've been acting and auditioning from a young age," says the 20--year--old actor. "It's been a constant in my life." The other constant? Basketball.

That's why playing Nathan Scott, high school basketball star, wasn't a stretch for James. He worked the court on his real--life high school varsity team (he even won a Most Valuable Player award), which gave him the skills he needed to perform his own basketball shots on the show, including his trademark 15--foot, mid--range jump shot.

Naturally, James jumped at the opportunity to star in a show that married his twin passions. "[Basketball] was an attractive part of the story for me," he says. "A lot of shows don't have that [athletic] element."

Speaking of marriage, James' character may rule the court, but when it comes to family matters, he has some learning to do. In a surprising plot turn, Nathan got married at the end of the show's first season. But don't worry - that's not a move the actor is considering making just yet.

"Personally, I wouldn't get married that young," he assures. And after a tumultuous year for the TV newlyweds, we're not sure the characters themselves are thrilled with their choice. "It started out as a fantasy, but they're both dealing with the harsh reality now," explains James.

Impulsive wedding plans aside, he does relate somewhat to the character he plays. "I see myself in his competitiveness and his drive to succeed," he admits. In fact, James was driven to continue his education until his acting career put his plans on hiatus.

He graduated from Hemet High School (Hemet, CA) in the spring of 2003, and was preparing to attend California State University, Long Beach, that fall - he even had a dorm assignment. "I was enrolled and ready to go," he confirms.

But fate intervened, and the would--be international affairs/communications major learned that the "One Tree Hill" pilot was picked up for prime time.

Two years later, he's hanging out on the beach in Wilmington, NC, where the show is filmed, basking in the glow of success.

"It's been a great ride," says James. As for his future, you can be sure there are plenty of slam dunks in sight - TV, hoops, and hopefully a return to the classroom.



http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

Sound Off! Post Your Comments