News, Sports

This Day in History: Celebrating NBA Legend Samuel Jones, Born in 1933

Clay Cane
June 24, 2024

FILE - Boston's Sam Jones, left, drives past the Lakers' Jerry West (44) and drives along the baseline towards the basket in the teams' NBA playoff game in Los Angeles on May 2, 1968. At right are Darrall Imhoff of Lakers, who blocked the shot, and Celtics' Bill Russell. Basketball Hall of Famer Jones, the skilled scorer whose 10 NBA titles is second only to teammate Bill Russell, died on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, the team said. He was 88. (AP Photo/HF, File)

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NBA legend Samuel Jones was born June 24, 1933. Selected by the Boston Celtics in the 1957 NBA Draft, he spent his entire 12-season professional career with the team, winning the second-highest number of NBA championships ever, second only to teammate Bill Russell.

Two Boston Celtic veterans, John Havlicek, left, and Sam Jones savor their NBA title after leading the Boston club to a 108-106 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, May 5, 1969. Havlicek scored 26 and Jones 24. It was Jones’ final game as a Celt before going into retirement. (AP Photo/Harold P. Matosian)

Jones was a five-time NBA All-Star and 10-time NBA champion, known for his perfect jump shot form and clutch shooting, earning him the nickname “The Shooter.”

After retiring in 1969, Jones coached at Federal City College, North Carolina Central University, and served as an assistant for the New Orleans Jazz.

FILE – Sam Jones (24) of the Boston Celtics taps the ball away from outstretched arms of Paul Silas of the St. Louis Hawks as Don Nelson (19) of the Celtics leaps for the ball in their National Basketball Association game at Boston Garden, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1968, Boston, Mass. Basketball Hall of Famer Jones, the skilled scorer whose 10 NBA titles is second only to teammate Bill Russell, died on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, the team said. He was 88. (AP Photo/File)

He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1984. Samuel Jones, who died in 2021 at 88 years old, was also inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

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Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC. Twitter: @claycane