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Caldwell Jones, once a steady player in 76ers frontcourt, dies at 64

Caldwell Jones, a rail-thin frontcourt player who helped the 76ers reach the NBA Finals three times, died Sunday of a heart attack in Decatur, Ga.

Former 76ers player Caldwell Jones. (Rusty Kennedy/AP)
Former 76ers player Caldwell Jones. (Rusty Kennedy/AP)Read more

Caldwell Jones, a rail-thin frontcourt player who helped the 76ers reach the NBA Finals three times, died Sunday of a heart attack in Decatur, Ga.

Mr. Jones, 64, was one of four brothers to reach the NBA after playing at Albany State College. He began his career with the San Diego Conquistadors of the ABA in 1973 before joining the 76ers in 1976.

Mr. Jones, who retired from the NBA in 1990, played six seasons with the Sixers before he was traded to the Houston Rockets. He also played for Chicago, Portland and San Antonio in a 14-year NBA career.

Mr. Jones averaged 6.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in the NBA. His most productive seasons were in Philadelphia, where he averaged 7.2 points, 9.2 points and 1.9 blocks.

"We are truly saddened to learn of the passing of a special member of the Sixers family, Caldwell Jones," Sixers CEO Scott O'Neal said. "He was the consummate teammate, a friend to many and a player who was beloved and respected throughout the league. Our franchise and fans will always remember the impact and contributions Caldwell made to the city of Philadelphia."

The 6-foot-11, 217-pound Mr. Jones was an unspectacular but steady performer who played both center and power forward. Playing alongside stars such as Julius Erving, George McGinnis, Doug Collins, Darryl Dawkins, Lloyd Free and Doug Collins, Mr. Jones was a member of three teams that reached the NBA Finals but lost - to the Portland Trail Blazers (1977) and twice to the Los Angeles Lakers (1980, 1982).

The Sixers drafted Mr. Jones in the second round with the 32d overall pick of the 1973 NBA draft. He began his playing career in the ABA before signing with the Sixers as a free agent.

In 1982, the Sixers sent Mr. Jones and a 1983 first-round pick (which turned out to be Rodney McCray) to Houston for center Moses Malone. Malone led the Sixers to their last NBA championship in 1983.

@JmitchInquirer