Last Updated on July 27, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Patience with the ball and a willingness to make the extra pass defined Jim King, the American guard-forward whose NBA career spanned an era when adaptable perimeter players were asked to score, facilitate, and defend multiple assignments. Whether sliding into open space for a mid-range jumper, keeping the offense connected with smart ball movement, or competing on the glass from the wing, King consistently played a steady brand of basketball that earned trust from coaches and teammates alike.

Here are the details for Jim King:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: James Staton King
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born February 7, 1941
  • Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters)
  • Weight: Approximately 175 pounds (79 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 3 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 11 (US)
  • Number: Wore 11, 15, and 21 during his NBA career
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
  • High School: Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • College: University of Tulsa
  • NBA Draft: 1963 NBA Draft, 13th round pick (81st overall) by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1963–1966)
    • San Francisco Warriors (1966–1969)
    • Cincinnati Royals (1969–1971)
    • Chicago Bulls (1971–1973)
  • Championship Rings: 0 (He did not win an NBA Championship)
  • Kids: Information on children is not widely documented
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not widely documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Jim King’s player archetype was that of a smart combo guard, a backcourt organizer who could score when needed but was most effective blending secondary playmaking with steady all-around guard play. At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, he relied more on skill, pace and decision-making than physical force, which suited an offensive role built around ball-handling, setup work and timely scoring rather than pure shot-volume creation. Defensively, he fit more as a disciplined perimeter guard than a shutdown specialist, using positioning and awareness to hold his ground, while his overall play style leaned toward controlled, balanced guard play with enough versatility to handle either backcourt spot during his best years, including his 1968 All-Star season. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

Jim King played with the kind of versatility that often gets overlooked because it wasn’t built on one signature skill. What stands out is how naturally he flowed between responsibilities. One possession he was initiating offence after securing a rebound, the next he was posting a smaller defender or spacing to the wing waiting for the extra pass. He had a smooth handle for his size and used it to attack under control rather than trying to overwhelm defenders with speed, often drawing a second defender before slipping the ball to a teammate cutting behind the play. His mid-range jumper forced opponents to respect him away from the basket, and that made his straight-line drives more effective because defenders couldn’t simply sit in the lane. Defensively, King relied on positioning and anticipation more than explosive recovery. He understood where help was coming from, rotated early, stayed connected through off-ball actions and used his size to contest without fouling. He wasn’t the quickest wing against explosive first steps, and exceptionally physical forwards could dislodge him around the basket, but he compensated by reading plays before they fully developed instead of reacting late. The interesting thing is that his game became more valuable the better the talent around him was. He didn’t need possessions manufactured for him because he recognised gaps as they appeared, whether that meant cutting into open space, making the extra pass or punishing a mismatch in the post. To me, King fit best in an offence built on constant movement and multiple playmakers, where his ability to make quick, uncomplicated decisions kept the ball moving from one advantage to the next. His game carried shades of Boris Diaw’s connective play and Toni Kukoč’s understated versatility, although King leaned more toward direct scoring and physical wing play than either. He was the sort of player who quietly stabilised a lineup, not because he dominated the action, but because he consistently made the possession easier for everyone sharing the floor with him.

Fun Facts

  • He became a basketball coach and administrator after finishing his NBA career.

Sources:

NBA.com — Jim King
Basketball-Reference — Jim King Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Talk Business & Politics — Former All-Star, Fort Smith native Jim King reflects on 10-year NBA career