Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here are the details for Jim Chones:

  • Full Name: James Bernett Chones
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born November 30, 1949
  • Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters)
  • Weight: 220 pounds (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 19 (US)
  • Number: Wore #22, #31, and #12 during his career
  • Position: Center / Power Forward
  • High School: St. Catherine’s High School (Racine, Wisconsin)
  • College: Marquette University
  • NBA Draft: 1973 NBA Draft, 2nd round, 13th pick by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA, 1974–1979)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (NBA, 1979–1982)
    • Washington Bullets (NBA, 1982)
    • New Jersey Nets (NBA, 1982–1984)
  • Championship Rings: 1 (with the Los Angeles Lakers, 1980)
  • Kids: Five children, including Kaayla Chones, a former WNBA player
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Jim Chones’s player archetype was that of a two-way interior big, a center/power forward who brought rebounding, paint presence, and dependable secondary scoring more than flashy shot creation. At 6-foot-11 and 220 pounds, he had the size of a classic frontcourt anchor, and that physical profile fed directly into his defensive role as an interior presence who could control the glass and hold his ground around the lane. Offensively, Chones fit best as a complementary scorer, doing useful work from the post and around the basket while giving his teams steady production without needing high usage. His overall play style was polished, physical, and team-oriented, which lines up with Marquette’s description of him as one of the most complete big men in the country and with the consistency he showed across his pro career. (NBA)

Fun Facts

  • Jim Chones had a successful professional career, playing both in the ABA and NBA.
  • Known for his strong defense and rebounding, he played a key role in the Lakers’ 1980 NBA Championship run.
  • After retiring, Chones transitioned to broadcasting, providing commentary for Cleveland Cavaliers games.

Sources:

NBA.com — Jim Chones | Center | Cleveland Cavaliers
Marquette University Athletics — Jim Chones (2004) – Marquette ‘M Club’ Hall of Fame
Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame — Jim Chones
Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame — Chones, Jim – Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame