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KC Jones, legend of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, dies at 88 / CFP
KC Jones, NBA Boston Celtics legend, dies at 88 / CFP
Twelve-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend KC Jones died Friday at the age of 88.
Jones’ family confirmed that he passed away in an auxiliary living facility in Connecticut. He had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for years.
“The Celtics family mourns the loss of 12-time NBA champion, two-time NCAA champion, gold medal winner and Hall of Famer KC Jones, as we celebrate his remarkable career and life.” the Celtics said in a statement.
A family photo of the 1966 NBA champions Boston Celtics: KC Jones # 25 and Bill Russell # 6. / CFP
A family photo of the 1966 NBA champions Boston Celtics: KC Jones # 25 and Bill Russell # 6. / CFP
“I just got a call to inform me of my roommate / teammate and most of all my friend, the great KC Jones passed away this morning. Prayers for his family. We have been friends for almost 60 years, this is our last photo together. Friends for life # 2020Usuck! #RIP @ NBA @ celtics, “tweeted 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell.
Jones filled his career with every major basketball honor you can imagine. He won two NCAA championships in 1955 and 1956 and the Olympic gold medal in basketball in the second year. The Celtics brought him to the NBA, where Jones won eight NBA championships with Russell.
Above, LR: Jimmy Rogers, KC Jones and Chris Ford; Bottom, LR: Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird. / CFP
Above, LR: Jimmy Rogers, KC Jones and Chris Ford; Bottom, LR: Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Larry Bird. / CFP
After retiring as a player in 1967, Jones became an assistant coach to former teammate Bill Sharman with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971 and won his ninth ring that season. Then, in 1981, he helped Bill Fitch win another championship for the Celtics. Two years later, Jones replaced Fitch to become head coach. He then led Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to win two more rings in 1984 and 1986.
Only seven players in history have won an NCAA championship, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA title; Jones was one of them. He won eight rings as a player. Only Russell and one of his former teammates, Sam Jones, earned more than KC.
The Celtics called KC Jones “a fierce competitor and a gentleman in every sense of the word.”
The Boston Celtics pay tribute to NBA legend KC Jones before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 25, 2020. / CFP
The Boston Celtics pay tribute to NBA legend KC Jones before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 25, 2020. / CFP
“KC was the nicest man I have ever met. He always did his best to make people feel good, it was a great honor to play for him. His achievements are too many to list, but, for me, his greatest achievement was Being a such an outstanding person to all who had the privilege of meeting him, I will miss him greatly, ”Bird said in a statement.
“He had this kindness and kindness. He was a great men’s leader. I saw him as a mentor and a friend. Much more than a coach,” said Danny Ainge, president of basketball operations for the Celtics.
“The way he was revered by the players he played with, by the people he worked with, by the players who played for him, it was special,” said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
Jones became the third Hall of Famer for the 1965 NBA champions Celtics who left the world this year, after John Thompson and Tommy Heinsohn.
