Jim Paxson

James Joseph Paxson Jr. (born July 9, 1957) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1979 to 1990. A 6-foot-6 swingman born in Kettering, Ohio, he was the son of former NBA player Jim Paxson Sr.

Paxson played college basketball at the University of Dayton, where he was a three-time team MVP. He averaged 18 points per game as a sophomore and 17 as a junior, then earned All-America honors as a senior after averaging more than 23 points per game.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Paxson in the first round of the 1979 NBA draft, with the 12th pick overall. He spent nine seasons with Portland from 1979 to 1988 before being traded to the Boston Celtics. Paxson was named an NBA All-Star in 1983 and 1984, and he earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1984 after averaging 21 points per game.

After his playing career, Paxson served as general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers for six years. He later worked as a consultant with the Chicago Bulls, where his brother John is an executive.