James M. O'Brien (born November 7, 1951) is an American former professional basketball player.[1] O'Brien played college basketball at the University of Maryland and at the time he left Maryland he was the team's 6th all-time leading scorer.[2] O'Brien was selected in both the 1973 ABA draft and 1973 NBA draft.[1][3] The Indiana Pacers, then of the ABA, selected him in the third round,[3] while the Cleveland Cavaliers chose him in NBA's third draft round as well.[1]

The New York Nets acquired O'Brien's ABA rights from Indiana in June 1973 and signed him to a one-year guaranteed contract for $100,000.[2][4][5] He was cut by the Nets in training camp as Nets' coach Kevin Loughery felt he was too heavy and too slow.[5] He played semi-pro ball for Trenton in the Eastern League for a few months while getting paid by and practicing with the Nets.[4] He was brought back to the Nets in January 1974 while a few Nets' players were injured and Loughery stated at the time that O'Brien was in much better condition than he was during training camp.[4] He won the ABA championship in 1973–74 with the Nets.[1] During the 1974 playoffs he only played in 4 games for a total of less than 10 minutes.[1] In the finals he only played in 1 game for 3 minutes but scored 8 points in that short time.[6]

The Nets cut O'Brien during 1974 training camp and he was signed by the Memphis Sounds.[7] O'Brien said of being cut by the Nets that:

I had the feeling I was going to be cut in camp. I thought it was between Al Skinner and me but when Ed Manning arrived and got the playing time I knew I was gone. I didn't panic though. I thought there was a place for me and I am very happy here in Memphis. I'm getting the playing time and I don't care if it's at guard or forward.[8]

The Sounds folded after the 1974-75 season and O'Brien signed with the Cavaliers of the NBA, despite having an option year left on his ABA contract.[9][10] O'Brien was waived by the Cavaliers before the 1975-76 season started.[11]

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