Sam Jones obit

Celtics Legend Sam Jones Dies At Age 88

 

 He was not on the list.

Boston Celtics legend Sam Jones has passed away at the age of 88.

Jones won 10 NBA championships with the Celtics from 1959-1969, earning five All-Star selections during his 13-year career. His No. 24 hangs in the rafters at the Garden, and Jones was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. He’s also been named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team, 50th Anniversary Team, and 75th Anniversary Team.

“Sam Jones was one of the most talented, versatile, and clutch shooters for the most successful and dominant teams in NBA history,” the Celtics said in a statement. “His scoring ability was so prolific, and his form so pure, that he earned the simple nickname, ‘The Shooter.’ He was also known as ‘Mr. Clutch.’ One of the many testaments to his clutch performances is the fact that his playoff scoring average (18.9) exceeded his regular season output (17.7). … The Jones family is in our thoughts as we mourn his loss and fondly remember the life and career of one of the greatest champions in American sports.”

    Another one of my dear friends lost. Well, the banks are open in heaven this #NYE.

    RIP to fellow NC native, a legendary player, a 10x champion w our @Celtics, and a wonderful person.

    ☘️🖤#samjonesRIP #RIPSamJones #Celtics #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/xGktleXDmK

    — Cedric Maxwell (@cedricmaxwell81) December 31, 2021

Sam Jones’ 10 NBA championships are second-most by any player in NBA history, behind only his former teammate, Bill Russell, who won 11.

“Sam Jones will be remembered as one of the most prolific champions in all of professional sports,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “His selfless style, clutch performances and signature bank shot were hallmarks of an incredible career that featured 10 NBA championships in 12 seasons with the Boston Celtics. An HBCU legend at North Carolina Central University and a member of the NBA’s 25th, 50th, and 75th Anniversary Teams, Sam was a beloved teammate and respected competitor who played the game with dignity and class. We mourn the passing of a basketball giant and send our deepest condolences to Sam’s family and the Celtics organization.”

Jones was the eighth overall pick by Red Auerbach in 1956, selected out of North Carolina Central. Jones opted to try to make the Celtics’ roster instead of accepting a job to teach high school, a decision that paid dividends for himself and the Celtics organization.

Jones attended and graduated from North Carolina Central University (then North Carolina College), where he was a four-year letterwinner for Hall of Fame coach John McLendon and coach Floyd Brown. Jones scored 1,745 points, which is still second in school history. He was a three-time All-CIAA league selection. His jersey, no. 41, is retired and hangs in the Eagles' arena.

Jones was 6-foot-4 (1.93 m) and weighed 200 lb (90 kg). Boston Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach took a trip south to scout North Carolina players who had just won the national championship. Former Wake Forest coach Bones McKinney told Auerbach he could visit Chapel Hill, but the best player in the state was a few miles away. Eventually, in the 1957 NBA draft, the Philadelphia Warriors selected North Carolina's Lennie Rosenbluth with the sixth pick. Boston selected Jones two picks later, even though Auerbach had never seen Jones play.

Jones was originally claimed by the Minneapolis Lakers, but he returned to college to earn his degree upon completion of military service, and therefore voided the Lakers' rights to him under NBA rules.

In his 11th career game, Jones recorded 15 points and 5 rebounds in a 109-118 loss to the Syracuse Nationals. He was teammates with Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Frank Ramsey, Tom Heinsohn, Arnie Risen, Andy Phillips, James Loscutoff Jr., Jack Nichols, K. C. Jones, Gene Conley and Lou Tsioropoulos.

As of April 10, 2021, Jones owns Boston's sixth-best single-game scoring output (51 points vs. Detroit Pistons on October 29, 1965).

Jones recorded 22 points and 5 rebounds in Game 7 of the 1966 NBA Finals as the Celtics won their eighth straight NBA Final, He was an assistant coach for the New Orleans Jazz as well.