STATEMENT FROM THE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates the life and mourns the passing of legendary Boston Celtic Sam Jones. Enshrined as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984, Mr. Jones has passed away at the age of 88.
“Sam Jones was as much of a one-of-a-kind athlete as he was an individual,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “As one of the greatest champions in American sports history, Sam embodied what it means to be a winner both on and off the court. He was a natural scorer and will forever be one the most clutch performers the game has ever seen. He will be tremendously missed by the entire Hall of Fame family.”
At 6-foot-4, Sam Jones was the prototype of the tall guard. He could run the floor, bang the boards, and his rangy offensive game caused fits in his opponents. As a collegian, Jones was an offensive firehouse scoring 1,770 points while playing for Hall of Fame coach John McLendon at all-black North Carolina Central College. His senior season saw the fiery guard average a double-double in points and rebounds. His scoring aptitude continued and in the NBA he averaged over 17 points a game for his career. Always steady, always on top of his game, Sam Jones was a winner. One half of the “Jones Boys” of Boston, Sam teamed with K.C. Jones in the Celtics backcourt to create havoc in NBA arenas around the country. Jones favored an unorthodox but highly effective bank shot that became the muscle behind his and Boston’s ten NBA championships, including eight in a row from 1959 to 1966.
He received several accolades throughout his storied career, including being the first African American inducted into the North Carolina Hall of Fame in 1969, as well being named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, as well as the 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. His jersey No. 24 was retired by the Celtics in 1969.
STATEMENT FROM THE BOSTON CELTICS
Sam Jones was one of the most talented, versatile, and clutch shooters for the most successful and dominant teams in NBA history. 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). His number 24 was retired in 1969, the final year of his Celtics career, which of course resulted in an NBA Championship – his tenth. Only Bill Russell won more championships in his NBA career. 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.