Last Updated on June 3, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Player Profile

  • Full Name: James Loscutoff Jr.
  • Nickname: Jungle Jim; Loscy
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: February 4, 1930
  • Hometown: San Francisco, California, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
  • Weight: 220 lb (99 kg)
  • Wingspan: N/A
  • Shoe Size: N/A
  • Jersey Number:
    • #18 — Boston Celtics
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: Palo Alto High School (Palo Alto, California)
  • College: University of Oregon
  • NBA Draft: Boston Celtics, 1955 NBA Draft, 1st Round, 4th Overall Pick
  • Player Archetype: Defensive Enforcer Forward
  • Primary Offensive Role: Low-usage complementary scorer and offensive rebounder
  • Defensive Role: Physical perimeter and frontcourt stopper
  • Play Style: Tough, physical, defense-first forward who provided rebounding, screening, hustle, and intimidation
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right
  • Athletic Profile: Strong, rugged, above-average strength, high-motor competitor
  • Recruiting Status: N/A
  • Draft Status Detail: First-round selection (4th overall) by the Boston Celtics in 1955
  • Injury Status Category: Moderate Risk — missed much of the 1957–58 season due to a significant knee injury but successfully returned and completed his career
  • Career Stage: Retired
  • Comparison Style: Defense-first championship role player
  • Comparable Players:
    • Tom Sanders — defensive-minded Celtics forward
    • P.J. Tucker — toughness and defensive versatility
    • Bruce Bowen — defense-first complementary starter
    • Grant Williams — physical role-playing forward
  • Teams Played For:
    • Boston Celtics (1955–56 to 1963–64)
  • Championship Rings: 🏆 7 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964)
  • Parents: N/A
  • Children: N/A
  • Siblings: N/A
  • Athlete Relatives: N/A
  • Retirement Age: 34
  • Retirement Year: 1964

Jim Loscutoff’s player archetype was that of a defensive enforcer forward, a role he filled throughout Boston’s early championship dynasty. Defensively, he was tasked with guarding physical forwards and providing toughness alongside elite defenders, while offensively he operated as a low-usage complementary scorer who contributed through rebounding, screens, and hustle plays rather than shot creation. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Loscutoff combined strength with relentless effort, giving the Celtics a rugged presence whose value extended well beyond the box score and helped support seven championship teams.

Sources:

Basketball Reference — Jim Loscutoff Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More
NBA.com — Jim Loscutoff Player Profile
Wikipedia — Jim Loscutoff