Renowned basketball team KC Jones, an eight-team defensive guard in the NBA championship as a Boston Celtics player and winner of two more titles as the team’s head coach, has died, the team confirmed. He was 88 years old.
Jones, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989, played nine seasons in the NBA (all with the Celtics) from 1958-67 and won championships in eight of them – the third in NBA history behind only former teammates Bill Russell ( 11) and Sam Jones (10).
Jones returned to Boston as an assistant coach in 1977 – winning another championship ring) before leading Larry Bird and the Celtics to two more head coaching titles in 1983-84 and 1985-86.
“I just got a call telling me to know my roommate / teammate and, above all, the friend that the great KC Jones passed on this morning,” Russell wrote on Twitter. “Prayers to his family. We have been friends for almost 60 years, this is our last photo together. Friends for life. # 2020USuck! #RIP “
Jones was also a teammate of Russell’s at the University of San Francisco, winning two NCAA titles. He is one of seven players to win college and NBA championships and an Olympic gold medal (1956) – along with Russell, Jerry Lucas, Clyde Lovellette, Magic Johnson, Quinn Buckner and Michael Jordan.
“My father died today at 4:55 in the morning. Thank you all for your love for the Celtics and especially for my father, ”Jones’ daughter Bryna wrote on Twitter.
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged just 7.4 points per game for his career, surpassing Bob Cousy’s job in 1963. But his defensive tenacity and playing skills made him an important part. of the 1960s Celtics dynasty and his No. 25 uniform was withdrawn at the end of his playing career in 1967.
“I just didn’t see a man who shot as stupid as KC could stay in the NBA,” Cousy, 92, told ESPN. “I really didn’t think his other skills would be enough to keep him around. But I was wrong. The man proved to be amazing in defense and eventually learned to score enough so that rival teams could not afford not to guard him. “
Jones coached Washington for three seasons in the 1970s, including losing to Golden State in the 1975 NBA Finals. He returned to the Celtics as an assistant coach under Bill Fitch in 1977 and was promoted to head coach in 1983, defeating the Lakers. for the championship in his first season with a team with Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish and Dennis Johnson.
That group reached the NBA Finals for four consecutive years, adding another ring in 1986, before moving to the front office in 1988. The Texas native also coached Seattle and Detroit, finishing with 522 NBA career victories.
The other of the twenty NBA championship rings came as an assistant coach with the Lakers in 1972.
“Where KC Jones went, the win certainly followed,” the Celtics said in a statement. “In NBA history, only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones have several championship rings during their playing career. … KC’s coaching career was just as illustrious as one of the most remarkable head coach races the NBA has ever seen.
“KC has also shown that someone can be both a fierce competitor and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He made his teammates better and made the most of the players he coached. Never someone who seeks credit, his glory was found in the most fundamental ideals of basketball – being part of a winning team. The Celtics mourn his loss as we celebrate his remarkable career and life. “