🏀 Jimmy Jones: The Forgotten Genius of the ABA Hardwood

When we talk about the ABA greats, names like Julius Erving, George Gervin, and Artis Gilmore often lead the conversation. But to true historians of the league, Jimmy Jones stands among the finest guards to ever lace up in red, white, and blue. A six-time ABA All-Star, three-time All-ABA First Teamer, and a member of the ABA All-Time Team, Jones was a complete player—deadly efficient, fiercely athletic, and vastly underappreciated in the modern basketball lexicon.

🌱 Early Life and College Career at Grambling State

Born January 1, 1945 in Tallulah, Louisiana, Jimmy Jones grew up in an era of deep segregation in the American South. He found his basketball calling at Grambling State University, a historically Black college where he quickly made a name for himself as one of the most talented guards in the country.

At Grambling, Jones was a versatile 6-foot-4 combo guard with the poise of a veteran. He could run the offense, slash to the basket, and was a ferocious competitor on defense. Despite the limited national exposure HBCUs received in the 1960s, his skills couldn’t be ignored by scouts.

In 1967, Jones was selected in the 3rd round (21st overall) of the NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets, but he never played a game for them. Instead, the newly-formed American Basketball Association offered him a lucrative deal and a starring role—something the NBA wasn’t prepared to guarantee.

🚀 Choosing the ABA and Instant Stardom with New Orleans

Jones joined the New Orleans Buccaneers in 1967, part of the ABA’s inaugural class. While the ABA was known for its flamboyance, Jones was all business. He averaged 18.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game as a rookie, earning All-Rookie First Team honors and an All-Star selection in his first season.

That same year, Jones helped lead the Buccaneers to the 1968 ABA Finals, where they lost to Connie Hawkins and the Pittsburgh Pipers in seven games. Jones averaged over 20 PPG in the playoffs, quickly becoming a reliable postseason performer.

From 1968 to 1971, Jones was the backbone of the New Orleans/Memphis franchise, posting consistent All-Star seasons:

• 1968–69: 26.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 53.5% FG

• 1969–70: 22.3 PPG, 5.1 APG

• 1970–71: 19.9 PPG, 5.2 APG

In 1969, he led the ABA in field goal percentage—an incredible feat for a guard—shooting 53.5%, which remains one of the highest marks by a backcourt player in ABA history.

Jimmy Jones – Mr. Jones

🧠 A Thinker’s Game: Style and Skills

Jimmy Jones was a classic “do-it-all” guard who played with the poise of a floor general and the explosiveness of a slasher. He could:

• Create off the dribble with deceptive speed

• Knock down mid-range jumpers

• Distribute efficiently in both the half-court and fast-break

• Guard multiple positions thanks to his height and wingspan

Jones had a reputation as a player who rarely made mistakes. He was smart, efficient, and always under control, earning praise from peers and coaches alike. His scoring wasn’t flashy—he didn’t play above the rim like some contemporaries—but he scored in bunches with surgical precision.

His smooth left-handed shot and ability to get to the line helped him become one of the most efficient guards of his era. In 1973–74, he led the league in free-throw percentage (.884) while still averaging nearly 22 points per game.

🔄 Transition to Utah and More Playoff Heroics

When the franchise relocated and became the Utah Stars, Jones didn’t miss a beat. In 1973–74, he averaged 21.8 PPG and 5.3 APG, leading the Stars back to the playoffs.

In the 1974 ABA Playoffs, Jones was arguably the best player on the floor, averaging 24.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds in a hard-fought run to the Western Division Finals, where they fell to the Indiana Pacers in a classic seven-game series.

🏀 Jumping to the NBA: The Washington Bullets Years

After seven ABA seasons, Jones finally made his NBA debut in 1974 with the Washington Bullets, just as the ABA-NBA merger talks were heating up. Despite being on the tail end of his prime, he remained a valuable piece on a Bullets team loaded with talent, including Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld.

From 1974 to 1977, Jones averaged:

• 1974–75: 11.0 PPG, 3.5 APG

• 1975–76: 9.9 PPG, 3.2 APG

• 1976–77: 9.1 PPG, 2.7 APG

While he was no longer a go-to scorer, Jones was a calming veteran presence and a capable two-way guard on playoff teams.

Remember The ABA / NB70s: Jimmy Jones

📈 Career Statistics

ABA Career (7 seasons):

• 19.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.9 RPG, 49.1% FG, 82.7% FT

NBA Career (3 seasons):

• 9.9 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 RPG, 46.5% FG, 81.3% FT

Combined Pro Totals (10 seasons):

• 16.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 4.6 RPG

🏅 Career Honors and Legacy

• 6× ABA All-Star (1968–1971, 1973, 1974)

• 3× All-ABA First Team (1969, 1973, 1974)

• ABA All-Time Team

• ABA All-Rookie First Team (1968)

• Led ABA in FG% (1969)

• Led ABA in FT% (1974)

• Top 25 in career ABA points, assists, and steals

🧾 Why Jimmy Jones Is Forgotten

Several reasons explain why Jones is not as widely remembered as his ABA peers:

1. Never Played in a Merger NBA Spotlight: By the time of the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, Jones was already a bench player.

2. No Championship Ring: Despite multiple deep playoff runs, Jones never won a title.

3. ABA Bias: Like many ABA stars (Mel Daniels, Louie Dampier, etc.), his accomplishments were historically undervalued.

4. Quiet Style: Jones wasn’t flamboyant. He didn’t dunk often or dominate headlines. He just played smart, effective basketball.

🧠 Final Verdict: A Hall-of-Fame Caliber Talent

Jimmy Jones isn’t just an underrated ABA guard—he’s one of the most underrated guards in pro basketball history. His combination of size, skill, scoring efficiency, and defensive versatility puts him among the elite of his era.

Had his prime overlapped more with the post-merger NBA, or had he played on a championship team, it’s likely we’d be speaking his name alongside other legends of the era.

But for those who watched the ABA, one thing is clear: Jimmy Jones was a star—a forgotten genius of the hardwood.