Caldwell Jones facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 4, 1950 McGehee, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | September 21, 2014 (aged 64) Stockbridge, Georgia, U.S. |
| High school | Desha Central (Rohwer, Arkansas) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 217 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Albany State (Georgia) (1969–1973) |
| NBA Draft | 1973 / Round: 2 / Pick: 32nd overall |
| Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
| Pro career | 1973–1990 |
| Career history | |
| 1973–1975 | San Diego Conquistadors / Sails |
| 1975 | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1975–1976 | Spirits of St. Louis |
| 1976–1982 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1982–1984 | Houston Rockets |
| 1984–1985 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1985–1989 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1989–1990 | San Antonio Spurs |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career ABA and NBA statistics | |
| Points | 10,241 (7.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 10,685 (8.2 rpg) |
| Blocks | 2,297 (1.8 bpg) |
Caldwell "Pops" Jones (born August 4, 1950 – died September 21, 2014) was a professional basketball player from the United States. He was known for his strong defense and rebounding skills.
Caldwell was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1973 NBA draft. He played for three seasons in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Most of his time was spent with the 76ers.
He was a top player in the ABA, leading the league in blocked shots during the 1973–74 season. He also played in the 1975 ABA All-Star Game. Caldwell Jones holds an ABA record for blocking 12 shots in one game.
Caldwell came from a family of basketball players. His brothers, Charles, Wil, and Major, also played college basketball at Albany State and in the NBA. Caldwell was known for being a hardworking player who focused on defense, rebounding, and blocking shots. He was a tall player at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m). His dedication helped him play professional basketball for 17 years.
He played his last season when he was 39 years old. This made him one of the oldest NBA players at that time. He scored over 10,000 points in his career.
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Caldwell Jones's Playing Career
Caldwell Jones started his professional career in 1973–74 with the San Diego Conquistadors in the ABA. This team was coached by the famous player Wilt Chamberlain. In one important game, Caldwell helped San Diego win by scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking 6 shots.
During his three seasons in the ABA, Caldwell averaged 15.8 points per game. He even reached a career high of 19.5 points per game in the 1974–75 season. He once said that he used to shoot the ball almost every time he got it.
Joining the NBA with the 76ers
Before the 1976–77 season, the ABA and NBA leagues merged. Caldwell Jones then joined the Philadelphia 76ers. His role on the team changed. The 76ers had many talented scorers like Julius Erving and George McGinnis. His coach, Gene Shue, wanted Caldwell to focus on defense and rebounding. Caldwell was happy with this role because the team was winning.
In his first season with Philadelphia, the team was very strong. They had a great record and made it to the 1977 NBA Finals. They played against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 76ers started strong, winning the first two games. However, the Trail Blazers came back and won the series 4–2. That season, Caldwell averaged 6.0 points and 8.1 rebounds. He also blocked 200 shots, which was the fifth-highest in the league.
The 76ers continued to be a strong team. In 1977–78, they won their division but lost in the playoffs. Caldwell shared playing time with another strong player, Darryl Dawkins. In the 1978–79 season, Caldwell had his highest scoring average with Philadelphia, at 9.3 points per game. He also grabbed a career-high 27 rebounds in one game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA Finals Appearances
The 76ers reached the 1980 NBA Finals. Caldwell was a key defensive player. He averaged 11.9 rebounds per game, which was fourth in the league. He also blocked 162 shots. The 76ers played well in the playoffs, beating the Boston Celtics. But they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals.
For the next two seasons, Caldwell Jones and his teammate Bobby Jones (who was not related) were chosen for the NBA All-Defensive First Team. The 76ers made it to the NBA Finals again in 1982, once more facing the Lakers. They lost in six games again.
After that season, Caldwell was traded to the Houston Rockets. This trade helped the 76ers get Moses Malone, and they won the championship the very next season.
Later Career and Retirement
Caldwell played two seasons with the Houston Rockets, where he joined his brother Major Jones. He then played one season with the Chicago Bulls and four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers. Even in his late 30s, he played important minutes in playoff games for Portland. He finished his career with one final season playing for the San Antonio Spurs.
In his later years, Caldwell often came off the bench as a reserve player. His job was to help the starting center, get rebounds, and play defense. He once compared himself to a "spare tire on a Cadillac," ready to step in when needed. He believed that playing defense and rebounding was just as important as scoring points.
Larry Brown, Caldwell's coach with the San Antonio Spurs, spoke highly of him. He suggested that Caldwell should have a special farewell tour when he retired.
Caldwell Jones's Family Life
Caldwell Jones grew up in McGehee, Arkansas. He came from a very tall family. His father was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall, and his mother was 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m). They had eight children. Their only daughter was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall.
Four of the Jones brothers played in the NBA:
- Wilbert (6 ft 8 in (2.03 m))
- Caldwell (6 ft 11 in (2.11 m))
- Major (6 ft 9 in (2.06 m))
- Charles (6 ft 9 in (2.06 m))
Two other brothers also played minor league basketball. For 18 years in a row, a Jones brother played the center position for the Albany State basketball team.
Caldwell Jones passed away from a heart attack on September 21, 2014. He was 64 years old. He was at a driving range near his home in Stockbridge, Georgia. His wife, Vanessa, said he had recently started enjoying golf.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career blocks leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff blocks leaders
