KC Jones Death

Boston Celtics legend K.C. Jones dies at 88

Christian Winthrop·
LocalThe BuzzThe Net

K.C. Jones, the Boston Celtic legend, Hall of Famer and 12 time NBA champion, has passed away at the age of 88. Jones won 12 NBA championships — 11 with Boston: eight as a player, one as an assistant and two as a head coach.

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.

K.C.’s daughter Bryana tweeted “My Dad passed away today at 4:55 am. Thank you all for your love for @celtics and especially for Dad.”

Jones lived a storied life and career. KC along with Bill Russell, Clyde Lovellette, Jerry Lucas, Quinn Buckner, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Michael Jordan, are the only players in history to achieve basketball’s “Triple Crown” – winning an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal.

Here’s the statement from the Boston Celtics:

“Where K.C. Jones went, winning was sure to follow. K.C. – his given name – was a twelve-time NBA champion as player and coach, a two-time NCAA champion, and a Gold medal-winning Olympian and Hall of Famer. In NBA history, only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones have more championship rings during their playing careers. K.C. along with Russell, Clyde Lovellette, Jerry Lucas, Quinn Buckner, Earvin “Magic “Johnson and Michael Jordan, are the only players in history to achieve basketball’s “Triple Crown” – winning an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal. His number 25 has hung from the rafters since 1967.

K.C.’s coaching career was similarly illustrious. He was named to lead the Celtics in 1983, beginning what is one of the most remarkable head coaching runs the NBA has seen. K.C. helmed the Celtics for two of the most memorable seasons in the team’s rich history, first leading the team to a championship in 1984 over the Lakers during a peak of that storied rivalry. Two seasons later, he led what many consider the greatest team in NBA history, the 1986 Champion Boston Celtics. These were the highlights of an astonishing four consecutive seasons in the NBA Finals, one of the most impressive and beloved Celtics eras.”