Former Philadelphia 76er Caldwell Jones has passed away 76ers president Scott O’Neil said in a statement today. O’Neil’s full statement could be read below.
“We are truly saddened to learn of the passing of a special member of the Sixers family, Caldwell Jones. He was a consummate teammate, a friend to many and a player who was beloved and respected throughout the league. Our franchise and fans will always remember the impact and contributions Caldwell made to the city of Philadelphia.
“On behalf of our entire organization, we extend our deepest condolences to the entire Jones family during this difficult time.”
The Portland Trailblazers also released the following statement;
“It’s a sad day when we lose a contributing member to our Trail Blazers history. Caldwell Jones’s quiet but engaging demeanor off the court made him a favorite with Trail Blazers fans during his time in Portland. As a teammate and defensive presence on the court, he brought a fierce attitude and unselfish style of play that helped make the Trail Blazers one of the NBA’s best defensive teams in the late 1980s. We extend our condolences to the Jones family and will remember Caldwell for what he brought to Rip City.”
Jones, 64 died of a heart attack according to reports. Jones spent six seasons of his seventeen seasons in Philadelphia from 1976-1981. In 1982, he was traded to the Houston Rockets where he would go onto play until 1984. He would later play for the Trail Blazers (1985-89) and San Antonio Spurs (1989-90). In San Antonio, he served as a mentor for NBA great David Robinson before his retirement.
In 1975, Jones made the ABA All-Star game. He was an underrated part of the early 1980’s 76ers teams that made two NBA final appearances in the span of three seasons. Over his six seasons in Philadelphia, Jones averaged 7.2 points per game with 1.5 assists per game. He averaged a total of 9.2 rebounds per game
Jones is remembered by many sports writers as a classy, funny guy who everyone enjoyed spending time with.
[Photo: CBSsports.com]
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