Steve "Snapper" Jones facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 17, 1942 Alexandria, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | November 25, 2017 (aged 75) Houston, Texas |
| High school | Franklin (Portland, Oregon) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Oregon (1961–1964) |
| NBA Draft | 1964 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1967–1976 |
| Career history | |
| 1967–1968 | Oakland Oaks |
| 1968–1971 | New Orleans Buccaneers / Memphis Pros |
| 1971–1973 | Dallas Chaparrals |
| 1973–1974 | Carolina Cougars |
| 1974 | Denver Rockets |
| 1974–1975 | Spirits of St. Louis |
| 1975–1976 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Stephen Howard "Snapper" Jones (born October 17, 1942 – died November 25, 2017) was an American basketball player. He played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). After his playing career, he became a well-known television analyst. He was chosen as an ABA All-Star three times. Steve's brother, Nick, also played in the ABA and NBA. Steve was known by his nickname "Snapper," but he never shared how he got it.
Contents
Steve Jones' Basketball Journey
Early Life and College Years
Steve Jones was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. He grew up in Portland, Oregon. In 1959, he led his high school team, Franklin High School, to win the state basketball championship. After high school, he played college basketball for the University of Oregon Ducks. He was the top scorer for his team during the 1963–64 season.
Playing in the Pros
Steve Jones played for eight seasons in the ABA. He was named an ABA All-Star three times. During his time in the ABA, he scored over 10,000 points in 640 games. His average was 16.0 points per game. He played for several teams:
- Oakland Oaks (1967–68)
- New Orleans Buccaneers / Memphis Pros (1968–1971)
- Dallas Chaparrals (1971–1973)
- Carolina Cougars (1973–1974)
- Denver Rockets (1974)
- Spirits of St. Louis (1974–1975)
Steve was known for his good sportsmanship. He never had a technical foul called against him during his entire career. He also shot 34% from three-point range. He finished his professional playing career in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1975–76 season.
Life After Playing: Becoming a TV Star
From Player to Commentator
After retiring as a player, Steve Jones started a new career in television in 1976. He became a "color commentator" for CBS. A color commentator helps explain the game to viewers. He was part of the CBS team that covered the Blazers' championship game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He also worked as an analyst for the Blazers' games into the 1990s.
Steve also worked for other major TV networks. These included TNT, TBS, USA Network, and the Denver Nuggets' broadcasts. He joined NBC in the 1990-91 season when they started showing NBA games. After 13 years with NBC, he then worked for NBA TV.
Famous Moments and Partnerships
One of Steve's most memorable moments was being a basketball analyst at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. He worked with famous announcers Chick Hearn and Jim Durham for NBC. He covered 36 games in just two weeks, which is like almost half an NBA season!
When he was at NBC, Steve was often paired with his former NBA teammate, Bill Walton. They were known for their "point-counterpoint" style. This meant they often argued and disagreed during games. Steve would often respond to Bill's big statements with phrases like "Bill, you can't be serious..." Even though they often disagreed on air, they respected each other and were good friends. They even reunited on Bill Walton's TV show, Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip.
Personal Life
Steve Jones passed away on November 25, 2017, in Houston, Texas. He was 75 years old. He was survived by his mother, his wife Carol, his sisters, and his younger brother, Nick Jones.
See also
In Spanish: Steve Jones (baloncestista) para niños
