Jim Chones

Who is Jim Chones?

James Bernett Chones 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. When he left Marquette to pursue an NBA career, he was only the second player in NCAA history to leave school for the NBA, before his graduating year.

Professionally, he first played in the American Basketball Association 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. In 1975, he moved to the National Basketball Association, where he played five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and later won an NBA Championship as a member of 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.

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. Chones became a full-time member of the radio team Beginning in the 2011-2012 season, working with new play by play announcer John Michael.