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25 Greatest Players in ABA History

By Maxwell Ogden

SPRINGFIELD, MA - AUGUST 12: Artis Gilmore shakes hands with Hall of Fame Player Julius Erving during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - AUGUST 12: Artis Gilmore shakes hands with Hall of Fame Player Julius Erving during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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14. Jimmy Jones

Position: Guard
Years Active: 1967-1974
Team(s): New Orleans Buccaneers, Memphis Pros, Utah Stars
ABA Averages: 38.2 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG
Accolades: 3x All-ABA First Team, 6x ABA All-Star, ABA All-Rookie First Team

After beginning his career at shooting guard, Jimmy Jones made an incredibly successful transition to running point. What followed was a career that places him amongst the greatest point guards to ever grace the hardwood—whether in the ABA or otherwise.

That process began in his second season, when Jones, a guard, led the league in field goal percentage.

If that sounds absurd, it’s because it is. Jones averaged 26.6 points, 5.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in 41.4 minutes, and he managed to do so while shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 80.5 percent from the charity stripe.

That marked the first of three times that he made appearances on the All-ABA First Team.

Jones joins Mack Calvin as the only guards in ABA history to receive at least three All-ABA First Team selections. Calvin was widely regarded as one of the best point guards in the world, and Jones may have been even better.

A 6’4″ point guard who could do it all on both ends, Jones was essentially the ABA’s version of Jason Kidd.

Next: No. 13