Bobby Jones Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Photo via Smith Cameron Photography

Former UNC star Bobby Jones–who played for Dean Smith from 1971-74–became the 11th Tar Heel elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday when this year’s class was formally announced.

He becomes the seventh UNC player to be selected, as Frank McGuire, Smith, Larry Brown and Roy Williams each earned their spot as coaches.

This also marks the second straight year a Tar Heel player has gotten the call to the hall, following Charlie Scott’s inclusion last year.

Jones was a First Team All-American in 1974 and a member of the United States Olympic Team in 1972, before going on to a successful professional career in both the ABA and the NBA.

He began in the ABA with the Denver Nuggets, who then were absorbed into the NBA as part of the merger between the two leagues. From there, Jones went on to finish his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jones was selected to the All-Defensive First Team for 10 consecutive years from 1975-1984 and earned a reputation as one of the greatest defensive players of all-time.

He also led the ABA in field goal percentage on two occasions before going on to do it once more in the NBA back in 1978. His field goal percentage of 59.2 is the ABA’s all-time record.

Jones’ No. 24 is retired by the 76ers and he is one of six players the team has honored with a statue in front of their practice facility.