Boston Celtics Legend Sam Jones Dies at Age 88

By Tadi Abedje Published: January 3, 2022

Boston Celtics Legend Sam Jones Dies at Age 88

FILE - Former Boston Celtic Sam Jones speaks with reporters at The Sports Museum's annual The Tradition fundraiser and awards ceremony, in Boston on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. 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/Steven Senne, File)

In Summary

The Basketball Hall of Famer won 10 championships with the team during their dynasty in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Sam Jones, who was known as a clutch scorer for the Boston Celtics during their dominance in the late 1950s and 1960s, passed away at the age of 88, according to ESPN.

Celtics spokesperson Jeff Twiss said the 10-time NBA champion died on Dec. 30 in Boca Raton, Florida, as he had been dealing with failing health.

“Sam Jones was one of the most talented, versatile, and clutch shooters for the most successful and dominant teams in NBA history. His scoring ability was so prolific, and his form so pure, that he earned the simple nickname, ‘The Shooter.’ He was also known as ‘Mr. Clutch.’ One of the many testaments to his clutch performances is the fact that his playoff scoring average (18.9) exceeded his regular season output (17.7),” the team said in a press release. “The Jones family is in our thoughts as we mourn his loss and fondly remember the life and career of one of the greatest champions in American sports.”

Jones was selected by the Celtics with the eighth overall pick in the 1957 NBA Draft. He would spend all 12 seasons with the team where he played with fellow Hall of Famers such as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and K. C. Jones. Jones became a five-time All-Star and was a member of the NBA’s 25th, 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

In his career, the North Carolina Central graduate scored 15,411 points, which is seventh on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list. In 1984, Jones was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.