Sam Jones

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Jones's path to greatness began at North Carolina Central University (then North Carolina College), where he scored 1,745 points under Hall of Fame coach John McLendon. Originally drafted eighth overall by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1956, he voided his rights by completing two years of U.S. Army service and returning to college for his degree before re-entering the draft. In 1957, Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach selected him with the eighth pick after being told by Bones McKinney that Jones was the best player in North Carolina, even though Auerbach had never seen him play. Jones made his NBA debut on October 22, 1957, recording one rebound in three minutes against the St. Louis Hawks. After starting as a reserve, he replaced Bill Sharman as a starter and earned his first All-Star appearance in 1962. Over twelve seasons (1957–1969), he scored 15,411 points, added 2,209 assists and 4,305 rebounds, and became the franchise's career scoring leader upon retirement. His scoring prowess peaked with a 51-point game against the Detroit Pistons on October 29, 1965, which stood as Boston's sixth-best single-game output at his death in 2021.

In Their Own Story

The tension in Game 7 of the 1966 NBA Finals was palpable as the Celtics fought for their eighth straight title. Jones delivered a performance that encapsulated his clutch reputation, recording 22 points and 5 rebounds to secure the victory. His shooting form was legendary; opponents nicknamed him "the Shooter" because he could consistently make difficult jump shots, particularly the bank shot from angles between 20 to 50 degrees inside 15 feet. At 6-foot-4, Jones ran the floor and battled on the boards, creating havoc for opposing defenses alongside K.C. Jones in the backcourt. He led Boston in scoring five times and averaged over 20 points in four consecutive seasons from 1965 to 1968. In the playoffs alone, he scored 2,909 points across 154 games, averaging 18.89 PPG—a mark that ranked as the 92nd best in history as of the 2021 postseason. His calm under pressure defined an era where the Celtics won eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966.

Reader's Guide

Sam Jones played his entire career with the Boston Celtics from 1957 to 1969, establishing himself as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. He was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971, the 50 Greatest Players list in 1996, and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Beyond his on-court success, Jones served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Jazz (1974–75) and coached at Federal City College and North Carolina Central University. In his personal life, he was married to Gladys Chavis until her death in 2018, with whom he had five children. He later worked as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County public schools while living in Silver Spring, Maryland, before retiring to St. Augustine, Florida. Following his death in Boca Raton on December 30, 2021, the Celtics honored him during the 2021–2022 season by wearing a black band with the number 24.

Did You Know?

• Jones was originally drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1956 but voided their rights to him by returning to college after his military service.
• He scored 51 points against the Detroit Pistons on October 29, 1965, which remained Boston's sixth-best single-game scoring output at the time of his death.
• Jones was one of only three Celtics (along with Bill Russell and K.C. Jones) to win all eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966.
• He served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Jazz during the 1974–75 season after retiring as a player.
• In retirement, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Montgomery County public school system while living in Silver Spring, Maryland.