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 an American former professional basketball player. He is also a radio analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers today. Chones was a tall player, standing 6 feet 11 inches. He played as a forward or center.
Contents
Jim Chones's Basketball Journey
College Basketball Star
Jim Chones was a big star at Marquette University. In 1972, as a junior, he was named an All-American player. He averaged an amazing 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.
Chones made a big decision to leave Marquette early for professional basketball. He was only the second player in NCAA history to do this. The New York Nets offered him a large contract. He had to accept it quickly and leave college right away.
He left Marquette in February 1972. At that time, his college team was undefeated and ranked second in the country. After Chones left, Marquette finished the season with a record of 25 wins and 4 losses.
Professional Career in the ABA
Jim Chones started his professional career in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He first played for the New York Nets. There, he was chosen for the ABA All-Rookie First Team. This means he was one of the best new players in the league.
After playing for the Nets, he spent one season with the Carolina Cougars. He showed his skills as a strong player in the ABA.
Moving to the NBA and Winning a Championship
In 1975, Jim Chones moved to the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was an important player for the team during his time there.
Later, in 1980, Chones achieved a major goal. He won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers. This was a highlight of his career. He retired from playing basketball in 1982. He had scored a total of 9,821 points and grabbed 6,427 rebounds in both the ABA and NBA.
Life After Playing Basketball
After retiring from playing, Jim Chones stayed involved with basketball. He worked for eleven seasons as a television analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He helped explain the games to viewers.
In 2007, he returned to the Cavaliers as a radio postgame analyst. He continued to share his knowledge of the game. Since the 2011–2012 season, he has been a full-time member of the radio team. He works alongside play-by-play announcer John Michael.
Family Connection to Basketball
Jim Chones's daughter, Kaayla Chones, also became a professional basketball player. As of 2019, she works for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. She is the director of player programs.
Portrayal in Media
Jim Chones was also featured in a TV series. He is played by actor Newton Mayenge in the HBO series, Winning Time; The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. This show is about the Los Angeles Lakers.
Awards and Honors
College Achievements
- 1972 First Team All-American
- Inducted into the Marquette Hall of Fame (class of 2004)
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
