Larry Jones, one of the original stars of the American Basketball Association (ABA), has passed away at the age of 83. Known for his scoring and pioneering role with the Denver Rockets, Jones helped shape the early identity of professional basketball in Denver long before the Nuggets existed.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Jones overcame early setbacks, cut from his junior high team and barely playing in high school, before blossoming at the University of Toledo. There, he became a three-time Mid-American Conference scoring leader and earned All-MAC honors in 1962.
Jones entered the ABA in 1967 and quickly made history. In his second season with the Denver Rockets, he averaged 28.4 points per game and became the first player in league history to score over 2,000 points in a season. He earned four ABA All-Star selections and three consecutive All-ABA First Team honors from 1968 to 1970.
After stints with the Floridians, Utah Stars, and Dallas Chaparrals, Jones retired in 1976. He later served as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons and dedicated time to youth mentorship and education in his hometown.
In 2011, he was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a player whose journey from overlooked teen to professional standout inspired many.
