Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Jim Chones was a skilled big man who combined size with a soft shooting touch, allowing him to contribute in ways that went beyond traditional interior play. Over the course of his career, he earned respect as a reliable frontcourt presence who could rebound, score, and fit comfortably into team-oriented systems.

Here are the details for Jim Chones:

Player Profile

  • 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

Player Archetype / Play Style

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)

Scouting Report

Jim Chones was the type of center whose game became more impressive the longer you watched it. The first thing you notice isn’t overwhelming power or spectacular athleticism but how calmly he occupied the middle of the floor, rarely rushing possessions and consistently arriving where the play needed him to be. Offensively, he preferred to establish deep post position with patience rather than force quick seals, using soft touch over either shoulder and a reliable face-up jumper from the foul-line area to make defenders respect more than just his back-to-the-basket game. He also fit naturally into high-post actions, delivering simple handoffs and making the extra pass without holding the ball long enough to stall an offense. That’s an underrated part of his game. Defensively, Chones relied on positioning and timing instead of chasing blocks, dropping into the lane early to discourage drives, meeting post scorers with his chest instead of gambling for strips, and finishing possessions by securing the rebound rather than trying to make a highlight play. The trade-off was that quicker lineups could stretch him into uncomfortable territory, especially when forced to defend repeated pick-and-rolls away from the basket or recover against mobile forwards who attacked from the perimeter. Even so, he rarely looked out of control because he understood angles and trusted his positioning. To me, his best role is alongside aggressive perimeter creators who benefit from a dependable interior presence capable of screening, making the next pass, and providing a steady scoring option when possessions slow down. Teams built around structured half-court execution and interior balance would get the most from him because he didn’t need the offense built around his touches to influence the game. There are shades of Jack Sikma before the perimeter range became a major part of Sikma’s identity, while his composed interior style also recalls Tom Boerwinkle, another big who quietly connected possessions through sound decisions instead of flashy plays.

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