K.C. Jones

Eight-time NBA champion as player and coach — Bill Russell's defensive partner and the Celtics' floor general.

K.C. Jones was born in Taylor, Texas in 1932. Boston Celtics drafted him in 1956, the same year he won an Olympic gold medal with the USA at Melbourne alongside Bill Russell. His playing career produced eight NBA championships (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) alongside Russell. He averaged 7.4 points per game — numbers that significantly understate his value as the defensive specialist and floor general of the dynasty. He was one of the NBA's premier defensive guards of his era, assigned to guard the opponent's best offensive player every night. After his playing career he coached the Celtics to two more championships (1984, 1986) with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish — giving him a total connection to 10 Boston Celtics championships. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989. His friendship with Bill Russell — which began at the University of San Francisco and continued through the Olympics, through championship seasons and through life — is one of sport's most celebrated partnerships. His total championship involvement across playing and coaching roles makes him one of the most decorated people in NBA history.

Elite defender, unselfish playmaker, team-first mentality

One of basketball's greatest winners as player and coach

• NBA Champion 8x (player and coach)
• Hall of Fame (1989)
• Olympic Gold Medal (1956)