Bobby Jones

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Jones's path to basketball stardom began with a childhood spent as a 'couch potato' until his father, Robert Jones Sr., a World War II veteran, built a court and assigned drills. Despite being left-handed, Jones practiced shooting right-handed during commercials, eventually growing to enjoy the work. His father also made him play on the church's league team to foster socialization and self-esteem. While Jones attended South Mecklenburg High School, where he set a state high jump record of 6 feet, 8 inches as a senior, his athletic focus shifted from track to basketball under his father's guidance. He led South Mecklenburg to the 1970 NCHSAA 4A state title and earned MVP honors in that game. Although he preferred practicing track alone, he accepted a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, connecting with Coach Dean Smith. There, NCAA rules kept him from playing as a freshman, allowing him to refine his defensive skills before becoming an All-American who averaged 13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds in his senior year.

In Their Own Story

In 1974, Jones was selected by the Houston Rockets but chose Denver Nuggets over the Spirits of St. Louis (formerly Carolina Cougars) to play for former coach Larry Brown. This decision proved pivotal; under Brown, Denver posted a franchise-record 65–19 season in 1974–75. Jones set an ABA record with a .604 field-goal percentage and was named to the ABA All-Rookie Team. By the 1975–76 season, the league's final year, he topped the league again in field-goal percentage while averaging 15 points and nine rebounds. After the ABA-NBA merger, Jones transitioned to the NBA with Denver, earning his first of eight consecutive selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1976–77. He started in his first NBA All-Star Game alongside teammates David Thompson and Dan Issel. However, health challenges began to surface; taking phenobarbital for epilepsy caused a performance dip in the playoffs during the 1977–78 season, leading to Denver's elimination by the Seattle Supersonics. Concerns over his worsening condition prompted his departure from the franchise.

Reader's Guide

Jones's career transformed significantly when he joined the Philadelphia 76ers in 1978 via a trade involving George McGinnis and Ralph Simpson. The deal included a unique clause: if Jones became disabled due to epilepsy, the 76ers would receive a draft pick. Under Coach Billy Cunningham, Jones shifted from starter to sixth man, a role he accepted within half a minute despite fears of devastation. This move proved masterful; in his first season off the bench (1979–80), he averaged a team-high 14.4 points while playing about 25 minutes. The Sixers reached the Eastern Conference finals but lost to the Lakers. In the 1982–83 championship season, Jones embraced the sixth man role fully after the arrival of Moses Malone. He was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year and secured an NBA title with Philadelphia. His defensive prowess remained elite throughout, contributing to his nine All-Defensive Team selections and culminating in his Hall of Fame election in 2019.

Did You Know?

• Jones set a North Carolina state high jump record of 6 feet, 8 inches as a senior, though his status as a two-time state champion in the event is unverified by standard sources.
• He practiced shooting right-handed despite being naturally left-handed because his father assigned him that specific drill.
• His trade to Philadelphia included a clause where the 76ers would receive a draft pick if he became disabled due to a pre-existing knee condition.
• Jones was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1974 NBA draft but chose Denver over St. Louis because he believed he would get more playing time there.