Sports
Former Blazers Player Steve 'Snapper' Jones Dies At 75
The three-time American Basketball Association All-Star player played for the local team from 1975 to 1976.
PORTLAND, OR -- Former Portland Trail Blazers player Steve "Snapper" Jones passed away recently. He was 75.
In a press release, the NBA said Jones' death followed a "lengthy illness."
The three-time American Basketball Association All-Star player played for the local team from 1975 to 1976, playing 64 games. During his nine-year career, he averaged 15.2 points per game, according to the NBA.
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Jones played for five franchises including the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Rockets
After retiring, Jones became an NBA broadcaster. He also worked for ESPN, TBS, TNT, Fox Sports, USA Network and NBC.
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“Steve was as positive and good-natured a broadcasting partner as I could have had,” said Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honoree Bill Schonely in the press release. “He loved to call me ‘Pops’ as a nickname, and we worked very well together on Trail Blazers games during some of the early years of the franchise. He was a terrific guy.”
Jones was born in Alexandria, Louisiana and raised in Portland. He played at Franklin High School and the University of Oregon.
Jones' passing sparked an outpouring of sympathy on Twitter as close friends and fans shared memories.
I'll never forget working with Steve Jones while covering the 1991 NBA Finals for NBC Sports. As Michael Jordan and the Bulls were spraying champagne, Snapper and I were outside the Lakers locker room, where I wrangled a solemn Magic Johnson for Snapper to interview. RIP Snapper. pic.twitter.com/bbjYW0Q4HR
— David Folk Thomas (@DFT212) November 26, 2017
Sad to hear of the death of Steve “Snapper” Jones. Hearing his voice always takes me back to Sunday afternoons in the 90s where my biggest worry was if the Bulls would beat the Knicks again on NBC
— Mike Lacett (@mikelacett) November 26, 2017
If you are old enough to have watched the #NBA in the 90’s, you remember Steve “Snapper” Jones doing all the big games on NBC with Marv and Bill Walton. Great analyst. #RIP https://t.co/iDGnUpZl3V
— Michael Graham (@baldsportsdude) November 26, 2017
Steve Jones is a wonderful friend and a true gentleman. We had so much fun working together on many NBA projects. His laugh would rock the room. Wishing peace to his family. Safe journey Snapper. https://t.co/KH9JF7NfmI
— Tim Kane (@TKaneNBATV) November 26, 2017
--Photo courtesy of NBA/Portland Trail Blazers
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