Jim Chones facts for kids
Chones in his final season at Marquette
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 30, 1949 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| High school | St. Catherine (Racine, Wisconsin) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Marquette (1970–1972) |
| NBA Draft | 1973 / Round: 2 / Pick: 31st overall |
| Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers | |
| Pro career | 1972–1983 |
| Career history | |
| 1972–1973 | New York Nets |
| 1973–1974 | Carolina Cougars |
| 1974–1979 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1979–1981 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1981–1982 | Washington Bullets |
| 1982–1983 | Firenze |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 7,664 (12.3 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 5,196 (8.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,079 (1.7 apg) |
James Bernett "Bunny" Chones (born November 30, 1949) is a former American professional basketball player. He is also a radio analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers team.
At 6 feet 11 inches tall, Chones played as a forward and center. He was a star player at Marquette University.
Contents
College Basketball Career
Becoming an All-American
Jim Chones was an amazing player at Marquette University. In 1972, during his junior year, he was named an All-America player. This means he was recognized as one of the best college basketball players in the entire country. That year, he averaged 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.
Leaving College Early
Jim Chones made a big decision during his college career. He chose to leave Marquette early to play professional basketball. At that time, it was very rare for a college player to leave before graduating. He was only the second player in NCAA history to do this.
The New York Nets team from the ABA offered him a large contract. They needed him to accept quickly and leave college right away. So, in February 1972, Jim left Marquette. His college team was undefeated and ranked second in the nation at that point. After he left, Marquette finished the season with a record of 25 wins and 4 losses.
Professional Basketball Career
Starting in the ABA
Jim Chones began his professional career in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played for the New York Nets first. In his first year, he was named to the ABA All-Rookie First Team. This honor goes to the best new players in the league. He also played one season with the Carolina Cougars.
Moving to the NBA
In 1975, Jim Chones moved to the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later, in 1980, he won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. This was a major achievement in his career. He retired from basketball in 1982. During his time in both the ABA and NBA, he scored a total of 9,821 points and grabbed 6,427 rebounds.
After Playing Basketball
Becoming a Radio Analyst
After retiring from playing, Jim Chones stayed involved with basketball. For eleven seasons, he worked as a television color analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This means he helped explain the game during broadcasts.
In 2007, he returned to the Cavaliers as a radio postgame analyst. He would talk about the game after it ended. During the 2010–2011 season, the usual Cavs radio announcer, Joe Tait, was out due to illness. Jim Chones stepped in to help. He worked with Mike Snyder as part of the interim radio team. Since the 2011–2012 season, Chones has been a full-time member of the radio team, working with announcer John Michael.
Family and Other Appearances
Jim Chones's daughter, Kaayla Chones, also became a professional basketball player. As of 2019, she works as the director of player programs for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA.
Jim Chones was also shown in the HBO series, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. In the show, he was played by actor Newton Mayenge.
Awards and Honors
College Achievements
- 1972 First Team All-American
- Inducted into the Marquette Hall of Fame (class of 2004)
- His jersey number 22 was retired by Marquette, meaning no other player will wear it.
Professional Achievements
- 1973 ABA All-Rookie First Team
- 1980 NBA Championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers
- Inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame (class of 2002)
- Honored on the Cavs Wall of Honor (class of 2024)
See also
In Spanish: Jim Chones para niños
