Sam Jones

Lore & Background

Jones arrived in Boston after being selected by Red Auerbach as the eighth pick in the 1957 draft, seven picks after Lennie Rosenbluth, despite Auerbach never having seen him play. Originally drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1956, Jones voided that contract to finish his military service and degree at North Carolina Central University, where he scored 1,745 points under Hall of Fame coach John McLendon. In the NBA, he began as a reserve before replacing Bill Sharman as a starter.

His offensive prowess was highlighted by a 51-point game against the Detroit Pistons on March 28, 1967, a performance that remains one of the most memorable in Celtics lore. Jones never led the NBA in scoring in any season, and his highest scoring average came in 1965–66 when he averaged 23.5 points per game. He averaged over 20 points for two straight seasons from 1965 to 1967, though in 1967–68 he averaged 19.9 points per game. His partnership with K.C. Jones in the backcourt created havoc, while his perfect form on the jump shot, particularly the bank shot, became his trademark.

Reader's Guide

To understand Sam Jones's impact, focus on the period from 1959 to 1966 when he won eight consecutive titles alongside teammates Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. His value lay in his versatility as a tall guard who could run the floor and rebound effectively. After retiring in 1969, Jones remained connected to basketball through coaching stints at Federal City College (1969–1973) and North Carolina Central University (1973–74), followed by an assistant role with the New Orleans Jazz in 1974–75. His legacy was cemented when he entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984, joining other honors like the NBA 25th Anniversary Team (1971) and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021). The Boston Celtics honored his memory during the 2021–2022 season by wearing a black band with the number 24.

Did You Know?

• Jones was one of several players to be part of all eight consecutive Celtics championships from 1959 to 1966.
• He served as the director of athletics for DC Public Schools Interhigh League from 1989 to 1991 and later worked as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County.