(ANSA) - NEW YORK, 01 JAN - Basketball player Sam Jones, legend of the Boston Celtics with whom he has won the NBA championship ten times, has died at the age of 88.
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984, Jones was instrumental in the Celtics dynasty of the 1960s, averaging 17.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and earning the nickname 'Mr. Clutch 'for his deeds at the end of the game. He won NBA titles from 1959 to 1966 and in 1968 and 1969. Only teammate Bill Russell, with 11 titles, has won more than him.
The Celtics held a moment of silence in homage to Jones yesterday before the 123-108 home win over the Phoenix Suns, showing a tribute video for him. The club withdrew his jersey number, 24, in 1969, the same year Jones retired.(HANDLE).