Sam Jones

Samuel Jones (June 24, 1933 – December 30, 2021) was an American professional basketball player who spent his career as a shooting guard for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Born in Laurinburg, North Carolina, he attended Laurinburg Institute before enrolling at North Carolina Central University, then known as North Carolina College. There he was a four-year letterwinner under Hall of Fame coach John McLendon and coach Floyd Brown, scoring 1,745 points and earning All-CIAA selection three times. His number 41 was later retired by the Eagles. He also served in the United States Army.

With the Celtics, Jones earned the nicknames "Mr. Clutch" and "the Shooter" for his quickness and game-winning shots, particularly in the playoffs. He was a five-time NBA All-Star. Jones won 10 NBA championships, the second-most of any player, behind only his teammate Bill Russell, who won 11. Along with Russell and K. C. Jones, he was one of only three Celtics to be part of each of the team's eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966. Jones is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.