James E. Baechtold (December 9, 1927 – August 29, 2011[1]) was an American basketball player and professor at Eastern Kentucky University.

A graduate of Moon High School in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, Baechtold played collegiately for Eastern Kentucky University (1948–1952).

He played for the Bullets (1952–53) and New York Knicks (1953–57) in the NBA for 321 games, averaging 9.7 points and 3.1 rebounds.

From 1962 through 1966, Baechtold served as Eastern Kentucky University’s head basketball coach.

This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1920s is a stub.