James Bernett “Bunny” Chones (born November 30, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player, and current radio analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A 6'11" forward/center, Chones starred at Marquette University, where he earned All-America honors as a junior in 1972 after averaging 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game.[1] When he left Marquette to pursue an ABA career, he was only the second player in NCAA history to leave school for professional basketball before his graduating year. The New York Nets offered him a sizeable contract, and stipulated that he must accept within days and leave college. As a result, he left Marquette in February 1972 with his college team undefeated and ranked second in the nation. After Chones' departure Marquette finished the season at 25–4.
After retiring from the NBA, Chones spent eleven seasons as the television color analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and in 2007, returned as a radio postgame analyst.
During the 2010–2011 season, usual Cavs radio voice Joe Tait missed much of the season as he recovered from surgery/illness. During that time, Chones and WTAM morning co-host/sports director and Cavs pregame/postgame host Mike Snyder formed the interim radio play by play team.[2] Chones became a full-time member of the radio team in the 2011–2012 season, working with new play by play announcer John Michael.[3]
Chones's daughter Kaayla is a former professional basketball player and as of 2019 is the director of player program for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA.[4][5]
^"News-Herald Hall of Fame: Kaayla Chones worked for everything she got on every level". The News-Herald. June 13, 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
^"Timberwolves Director Of Player Program Kaayla Chones Inducted Into Ohio Basketball Hall Of Fame". Minnesota Timberwolves. May 14, 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
^"Bo Burnham Exits HBO's LA Lakers Series, Five More Added to Cast". Yahoo Entertainment. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
Interview as member of 1979–80 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers
Jim Chones statistics at NBA.COM
Racine Native Chones to Fill in as Bucks Analyst
April 25, 2024
chones, james, bernett, bunny, chones, born, november, 1949, american, former, professional, basketball, player, current, radio, analyst, cleveland, cavaliers, chones, final, season, marquettepersonal, informationborn, 1949, november, 1949, racine, wisconsin, . James Bernett Bunny Chones born November 30 1949 is an American former professional basketball player and current radio analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers Jim ChonesChones in his final season at MarquettePersonal informationBorn 1949 11 30 November 30 1949 age 74 Racine Wisconsin U S Listed height6 ft 11 in 2 11 m Listed weight220 lb 100 kg Career informationHigh schoolSt Catherine Racine Wisconsin CollegeMarquette 1970 1972 NBA draft1973 2nd round 31st overall pickSelected by the Los Angeles LakersPlaying career1972 1983PositionCenter power forwardNumber22 53 9Career history1972 1973New York Nets1973 1974Carolina Cougars1974 1979Cleveland Cavaliers1979 1981Los Angeles Lakers1981 1982Washington Bullets1982 1983FirenzeCareer highlights and awardsNBA champion 1980 ABA All Rookie First Team 1973 Consensus first team All American 1972 Cavs Wall of HonorCareer NBA statisticsPoints7 664 12 3 ppg Rebounds5 196 8 3 rpg Assists1 079 1 7 apg Stats at NBA comStats at Basketball Reference com A 6 11 forward center Chones starred at Marquette University where he earned All America honors as a junior in 1972 after averaging 20 5 points and 11 9 rebounds per game 1 When he left Marquette to pursue an ABA career he was only the second player in NCAA history to leave school for professional basketball before his graduating year The New York Nets offered him a sizeable contract and stipulated that he must accept within days and leave college As a result he left Marquette in February 1972 with his college team undefeated and ranked second in the nation After Chones departure Marquette finished the season at 25 4 Professionally he first played in the American Basketball Association ABA with the New York Nets with whom he was an ABA All Rookie First Team selection He also spent a season with the Carolina Cougars 1 In 1975 he moved to the National Basketball Association where he played five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and later won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980 He retired from basketball in 1982 with combined ABA NBA totals of 9 821 points and 6 427 rebounds 1 After retiring from the NBA Chones spent eleven seasons as the television color analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers and in 2007 returned as a radio postgame analyst During the 2010 2011 season usual Cavs radio voice Joe Tait missed much of the season as he recovered from surgery illness During that time Chones and WTAM morning co host sports director and Cavs pregame postgame host Mike Snyder formed the interim radio play by play team 2 Chones became a full time member of the radio team in the 2011 2012 season working with new play by play announcer John Michael 3 Chones s daughter Kaayla is a former professional basketball player and as of 2019 is the director of player program for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA 4 5 He is portrayed in the HBO series Winning Time The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty by Newton Mayenge 6 Contents 1 Awards and honors 1 1 College 1 2 Professional 2 References 3 External linksAwards and honors editCollege edit 1972 First Team All American 7 Marquette Hall of Fame Inductee class of 2004 7 Professional edit 1973 ABA All Rookie First Team 1 1980 NBA Championship as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers 1 Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Inductee class of 2002 8 Cavs Wall of Honor class of 2024 References edit a b c d e Chones stats Basketball Reference com NBA INSIDER Tait hopes to be back next month Cavs radio team Cavs com News Herald Hall of Fame Kaayla Chones worked for everything she got on every level The News Herald June 13 2019 Retrieved 11 September 2020 Timberwolves Director Of Player Program Kaayla Chones Inducted Into Ohio Basketball Hall Of Fame Minnesota Timberwolves May 14 2019 Retrieved 11 September 2020 Bo Burnham Exits HBO s LA Lakers Series Five More Added to Cast Yahoo Entertainment 2021 08 20 Retrieved 2023 09 24 a b Jim Chones com Greater Cleveland Sports HOF Cleveland Sports Hall comExternal links editCareer statistics Interview as member of 1979 80 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers Jim Chones statistics at NBA COM Racine Native Chones to Fill in as Bucks Analyst Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Chones amp oldid 1214601984, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
