Bill Jones (basketball, born 1958) facts for kids

William Lawrence Jones, born on September 26, 1958, is an American who used to play professional basketball. He spent most of his career playing in Australia's top basketball league, the National Basketball League (NBL), from 1985 to 1992.

Early Life and College

Bill Jones grew up in Joliet, Illinois. He was a tall player, standing at 6 feet 10 inches (209 cm), and played the position of centre. During his time at Joliet Central High School, he was recognized as one of the best players in his area.

After high school, Bill went to the University of Northern Iowa from 1977 to 1981. He later tried to join the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1981, but he was not chosen by any team in the draft.

Professional Basketball Career

In 1985, Bill Jones moved to Australia to play for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League (NBL). He was considered an "import player" because he was not Australian. At that time, NBL teams could only have a few non-Australian players.

Joining the Adelaide 36ers

Bill quickly became the starting centre for the 36ers. He was the tallest player on the team. He teamed up with Mark Davis, a strong power forward. Together, they formed one of the best frontcourt duos in the league.

The team also had other great players like Al Green and Darryl Pearce. In 1985, the 36ers reached the NBL Grand Final. However, they lost to the Brisbane Bullets. That year, Bill averaged 13.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. He also blocked 2.6 shots per game.

Winning the 1986 NBL Championship

For the 1986 season, Bill Jones was made captain of the 36ers. This helped him play even better. He had his best season in Australia. He averaged 19.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

The 36ers had an amazing year in 1986. They won 24 games and lost only 2. They were unbeatable at their home court, the Apollo Stadium. People called them "The Invincibles." They were very close to having a perfect season, losing their two games by just a few points at the very end.

In the playoffs, the 36ers were the top team. They easily won their semi-final game. Then, they faced the Brisbane Bullets again in the Grand Final series. This time, the Grand Final was a best-of-three series.

In Game 1, played in Brisbane, Bill Jones was a star. He scored 30 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots. The 36ers won a close game in overtime. A week later, back in Adelaide, the Bullets won Game 2. But Bill and the 36ers came back strong in Game 3. They won the game and the series, becoming the 1986 NBL champions! Bill averaged 19.6 points and 15.6 rebounds in the Grand Final series.

Life in Adelaide

While playing for the 36ers, Bill Jones and Mark Davis also worked as security guards at the Adelaide Casino. They were so tall that they stood out. Bill also became very good friends with other American players on the team, calling themselves the "Brothers."

Later Career and Retirement

After their championship win, the 36ers continued to be a strong team. However, they were upset in the semi-finals in both 1987 and 1988. At the end of the 1988 season, Bill left the 36ers.

He then played for the Newcastle Falcons in 1989. After that, he played basketball in Central and South America for two years. In 1992, Bill returned to Australia. He played a few games for the Geelong Supercats in the NBL. He also played for other teams like the Bayside Blues and the Gippsland Lakers before retiring in 1994.

Bill Jones played 139 NBL games in total. He averaged 16.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots per game. Even though some centres were taller, Bill's great jumping ability and long arms made him an excellent shot blocker.

Current Life

Today, Bill Jones lives in Melbourne, Australia. He works as a Project Manager for a company called Australian Unity. After his basketball career, Bill also started playing Roller hockey. He says that winning the 1986 NBL Championship with the Adelaide 36ers is the highlight of his sports career.

Honour Roll

NBL Career Stats