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Show notes:
Sam Jones: 6'4", 198 lbs (00:31)
Played some small forward & point guard but mostly played shooting guard
Born in Wilmington, NC on June 24, 1933
Went to a historic African American prep school called Laurinburg Institute
Attended a small HBCU school NC College which became NC Central University later
Was a 3 times All-CIAA; coached by Hall of Fame coach John McClendon & Floyd Brown
Spent 4 years there as well as 2 years in the military
Was initially drafted by Minneapolis Lakers in the 1956 draft during the 8th round but chose to go back to college to get his degree after finishing his military service
Enter Red Auerbach, the BOS coach who was looking to draft a player in the upcoming 1957 draft
Red visited University of NC but was told by another coach about Sam & how good he was
So sight unseen, Red drafted Sam 8th overall of that draft
This shocked Sam to be drafted by a team that had just won a NBA title & just returned 11 of their players
Wanted to become a HS teacher after college & thought he was closer to that dream after being selected by BOS
In fact Sam had an offer from one HS to teach; asked for a $500 increase when offered the position; the school refused & as they say the rest was history
His rookie season was anything but spectacular; averaged only 4.6 PPG & 10.6 MIN & was the 3rd SG behind Bill Sharman & Frank Ramsey
Red was actually preparing him to be the heir apparent to Bill Sharman as BOS starting SG
In his next 2 seasons he played SF coming off the bench with the young KC Jones to form the alliance of the Jones Boys
Red decided to move Ramsey to SF which opened the door to get closer to Sam being the starting SG in future
His big break came in 1960-61 when Sharman had to sit due to injuries; not entirely comfortable being a starter
Began to adjust nicely with a 15 PPG average in his debut as the team's lead SG
In his next 3 seasons he settled into being the position & started becoming a clutch performer, particularly in the playoffs
in 1961-62 where he became an All Star for the 1st time, BOS played PHW to a grueling 7 games in the Eastern Divisional Finals where he hit a game winner over Wilt Chamberlain (Wilt declared Sam as BOS' best player)
Against LAL in the Finals, he scored 5 of the team's 10 pts in OT of Game 7 in the finals to win their 4th straight NBA title
In 1962-63 he averaged 19.7 PPG & a career best 47.6 FG% while upping his game in the playoffs with a 23.8 PPG to help win their 5th straight title
Had his career year in 1964-65 averaging 25.9 PPG (4th in the league) while making his 3rd All Star game; also named to All-NBA 2nd team for the 1st time (behind 1st teamers Oscar Robertson & Jerry West)
BOS finished that season 62-18; had his greatest postseason ever with 28.6 PPG leading to their 7th straight title
Would play another 4 seasons; appearing in 2 more All Star games & won 3 of 4 NBA titles in those years
In his final game fittingly so, he hit the clinching basket for Game 7 in the Finals to beat a Elgin Baylor-Jerry West-Wilt Chamberlain led LAL squad to win his 10th NBA title for BOS
Retired from basketball (1969, age: 36)
Inducted into the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame, North Carolina Sports HoF (the 1st African-American to be honored), Naismith HoF & the inaugural American Basketball HoF
Named to the 25th, 50th & 75th NBA Anniversary Teams
Did become a substitute teacher in Maryland for over 30 years
Retired from teaching & moved to St Augustine, FL; died in Boca Raton, FL at the age of 88 on Dec 31, 2021
Statements from the BOS organization, NBA commission Adam Silver & good friend Bill Russell came in honoring Sam
Nickname: Mr Clutch, The Shooter
