Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here are the details for Don Chaney:

  • Full Name: Donald Ray Chaney
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born March 22, 1946
  • Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters)
  • Weight: 210 pounds (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: Wore #12 and #11 during his career
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: McKinley High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
  • College: University of Houston
  • NBA Draft: 1968 NBA Draft, 1st round, 12th pick by the Boston Celtics
  • Teams Played For:
    • Boston Celtics (NBA, 1968–1975, 1977–1980)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (NBA, 1976–1977)
    • ABA’s Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976)
  • Championship Rings: 2 (with the Boston Celtics, 1969 and 1974)
  • Kids: Not widely documented publicly
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Don Chaney’s player archetype was a defense-first shooting guard: a long-armed, physical perimeter stopper who built his value on smothering on-ball defense, discipline, and toughness while giving his team steady support offense rather than acting as a primary creator. At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, with an 82-inch wingspan that helped earn him the nickname “Duck,” he had the size and reach to crowd guards and wings, and that profile matched a career that included five NBA All-Defensive Second Team selections. Offensively, Chaney fit best as a complementary backcourt piece, adding secondary scoring and reliable team play without needing heavy usage, so his overall play style came across as rugged, low-maintenance, and highly team-oriented. (Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame)

Fun Facts

  • Don Chaney was known as a defensive specialist and played an important role on two championship teams with the Celtics.
  • He later became an NBA head coach and was recognized for his contributions to basketball as both a player and coach.

Sources:

NBA.com — Don Chaney | Guard | Boston Celtics | NBA.com
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame — Don Chaney – Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
University of Houston Athletics — Don Chaney (1981) – University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor – University of Houston Athletics
Houston Chronicle — Solomon: Don Chaney takes on his toughest challenge