Caldwell Jones, longtime ABA, NBA player, dead at 64
By Phil Watson
Caldwell Jones, who played 17 years in both the ABA and NBA, died of a heart attack at the age of 64.
Jones was drafted by both the ABA and NBA in 1973 out of Albany State in Georgia, in the second round by the 76ers and in the third round by the ABA’s Virginia Squires.
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The San Diego Conquistadores wound up signing Jones at the urging of their coach, Wilt Chamberlain, according to RemembertheABA.com.
When the San Diego franchise folded in November 1975, he was claimed by the Kentucky Colonels and was later traded to the Spirits of St. Louis for Maurice Lucas. He wound up with the 76ers after the leagues merger in 1976, as he had signed a future contract with Philadelphia in February 1975.
The Philadelphia 76ers issued a statement via Twitter about Jones’ passing:
The following is a statement from CEO @ScottONeil on the passing of Caldwell Jones: pic.twitter.com/MiPzbWOMx6
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) September 22, 2014
He played in the NBA Finals three times (1977, 1980 and 1982) with the 76ers but was part of the compensation package that went to the Houston Rockets in September 1982 when Philadelphia signed reigning MVP Moses Malone as a free agent.
He later played for the Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs before retiring after he was waived by the Spurs in 1990.
In his three ABA seasons, Jones averaged 15.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, earning an All-Star berth in 1974-75. He was less of a scorer in the NBA, averaging 6.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 assists in 24.8 minutes per game over 14 NBA seasons.
He was a two-time All-Defensive first-team selection in 1980-81 and 1981-82. Jones was also a character. Tom Moore of Calkins Media remembered covering the 76ers during Jones’ tenure:
Caldwell Jones used to be available to the media while he drank a 6-pack of beer after each #Sixers game. How cool is that? RIP. #76ers
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) September 22, 2014
Former Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudamire also recalled Jones on social media:
We lost 1 of the great guys I ever had the pleasure of meeting today. RIP Caldwell Jones. Enjoyed every moment with him!!! Real guy!
— Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) September 22, 2014
Jones was one of four siblings to play professional basketball.
Oldest brother Wil Jones played for three ABA teams as well as the Indiana Pacers and Buffalo Braves during a nine-year career. Major Jones, a younger brother, played with Caldwell in Houston for two seasons and also played with the Detroit Pistons in a six-year NBA stint and another younger brother, Charles Jones, spent 15 years in the NBA with the 76ers, Bulls, Washington Bullets, Pistons and Rockets from 1983-98.
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