Celtics legend K.C. Jones dies at 88

BOSTON (AP) — Basketball Hall of Famer K.C. Jones, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champion who won eight straight NBA titles during the Celtics’ Bill Russell era and then coached the Boston teams with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to two more championships in the 1980s, has died. He was 88.

Jones’ family confirmed on Friday that he passed away at an assisted living facility in Connecticut. The Celtics said he had been under care for Alzheimer’s disease at the facility for several years.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of K.C. Jones: pic.twitter.com/OOiEwCswhV

— NBA (@NBA) December 25, 2020

Jones teamed up with Bill Russell to guide San Francisco to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955-56. They also represented the U.S. team that clinched the Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Games.

Jones, a second-round draft pick by the Celtics, teamed up with Russell to secure eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966. He retired in 1967 and began a coaching career, initially at Brandeis and Harvard colleges before becoming an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971-72, where he achieved another championship ring.

K.C. Jones was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Before leading the Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish-led team to the 1984 and ’86 championships, he served as an assistant coach for the Celtics team that won the championship in 1981.

“Bird expressed in a statement, “K.C. was the kindest person I’ve ever encountered. He consistently made an extra effort to uplift others, and it was a privilege to play under his leadership. His achievements are countless, but in my opinion, his most notable accomplishment was his exceptional character, known by all who were fortunate enough to know him. His absence will be deeply felt.”

The Celtics released the following statement:

K.C. Jones, whose given name was K.C., was renowned for being a winner everywhere he went. His impressive record includes twelve NBA championships as a player and coach, two NCAA championships, and a gold medal from the Olympics – achievements that also earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. In the history of the NBA, only his teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones garnered more championship rings during their playing careers. Jones, along with Russell, Clyde Lovellette, Jerry Lucas, Quinn Buckner, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Michael Jordan, is one of the few players who’ve achieved the coveted “Triple Crown” in basketball – an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship, and an Olympic Gold Medal. His number 25 jersey has been proudly displayed since 1967.

As we celebrate his extraordinary life and career, the Celtics family is mourning the loss of K.C. Jones, a twelve-time NBA champion, two-time NCAA champion, Gold medal-winning Olympian, and Hall of Famer.

Full statement: https://t.co/rPoO80yZFd pic.twitter.com/QxwcpjI0rj

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 25, 2020

K.C.’s coaching career was equally impressive. In 1983, he was appointed as the head coach of the Celtics, marking the start of one of the most extraordinary coaching stints the NBA has ever witnessed. K.C. commanded the Celtics for two of the team’s most unforgettable seasons, initially guiding them to win the championship in 1984 against the Lakers at the height of their legendary rivalry. Two seasons afterwards, he led what is often regarded as the greatest team in NBA history, the 1986 Champion Boston Celtics. These achievements were the pinnacle of an amazing four straight seasons in the NBA Finals, making it one of the most remarkable and cherished periods in Celtics history.

K.C. clearly showed that it’s possible to be a strong competitor while still maintaining gentlemanly manners. He enhanced the skills of his teammates and maximized the potential of the players he coached. Humble by nature, he didn’t seek recognition, but rather found his joy in the basic ideals of basketball – being part of a victorious team. His passing is deeply mourned by the Celtics family, even as we commemorate his extraordinary career and life.

Brad Stevens spoke about K.C. Jones, stating, “He was highly respected by his teammates, colleagues, and the players he coached. He was truly special.”

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 25, 2020

 

I just received a call letting me know my x-roommate/teammate & most of all friend the great KC Jones passed this morning. Prayers to his family. We have been friends for almost 60yrs, this our last photo together. Friends for life #2020Usuck! #RIP ⁦@NBA⁩ ⁦@celtics⁩ pic.twitter.com/Ia6yZB5l2x

— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) December 25, 2020

Jones is among the seven players in history who have secured an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA championship, and an NBA title. In addition to his player achievements, he clinched two more NBA championships as an assistant coach. He also served as the head coach for the Celtics, leading them to the NBA Finals consecutively from 1984 to 1987. Under his leadership, the team claimed victory in ’84 and ’86. The latter victory came from a team that set a record at the time with 67 regular-season wins and a 15-3 postseason record.

Only Russell and his Celtics teammate, Sam Jones, have won more NBA championships as players.

This year, Jones became the third Hall of Famer from the 1965 NBA champions to pass away. John Thompson, who later achieved greater success as Georgetown’s coach, died in August. Tommy Heinsohn, a Celtics player and coach, passed away last month. After holding a moment of silence for Heinsohn before their season opener, the Celtics held another moment of silence for Jones on Friday, just two days later.

“Danny Ainge, the current Celtics president of basketball operations who played for the team from 1981-88 when Jones served as an assistant and head coach, spoke highly of him. ‘He was a tremendous coach to work under. He embodied class, but also possessed a fierce competitive streak,” said Ainge.

“His gentleness and kindness were endearing. He was a remarkable leader,” Ainge stated prior to Friday’s game. “To me, he was not just a coach, but a mentor and a friend.”

Jones, a point guard renowned for his defensive skills, teamed up with Russell to guide San Francisco to consecutive NCAA championships in 1955-56. They both also represented the U.S. team that clinched the Olympic gold medal at the 1956 Games in Melbourne. Jones later joined forces with Russell again in Boston, resulting in an impressive streak of eight NBA titles from 1959-66.

In 1967, Jones retired and started his coaching career, initially at Brandeis and Harvard colleges before becoming an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. During his time with the Lakers, he won another NBA championship ring in 1972. Jones also had a stint as the head coach for the San Diego Conquistadors of the ABA, and he guided the Washington Bullets to the 1975 NBA Finals.

Jones returned to Boston in 1978 after a stop in Milwaukee and achieved his 10th NBA title in 1981 as an assistant on Bill Fitch’s team. He succeeded Fitch in 1984 and for the following five seasons, he never failed to win at least 57 games or reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Ainge expressed that Jones was often misunderstood and underappreciated due to his more relaxed demeanor compared to previous coaches, resulting in his name being less frequently mentioned among the great Celtics coaches like Red Auerbach, Heinsohn, and Fitch.

“People continuously seek those who crave attention from the cameras. Unlike them, K.C. was content with others being the center of attention, and he himself not garnering much,” stated Ainge. “He rarely made a stand, but when it was necessary, he would confidently challenge the Hall of Fame players on our team.”

In 1967, the Celtics retired Jones’ No. 25 and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.