Phil Jordon
Philip Jordon (September 12, 1933 – June 7, 1965) was an American professional basketball player. He played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 12, 1933 Lakeport, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 7, 1965 (aged 31) Sumner, Washington, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Willits (Willits, California) |
| College | Whitworth (1952–1955) |
| NBA draft | 1956: 6th round, 42nd overall pick |
| Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers | |
| Playing career | 1956–1963 |
| Position | Power forward / center |
| Number | 18, 16, 8, 29 |
| Career history | |
| 1956–1957 | New York Knicks |
| 1957–1959 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1959–1961 | Cincinnati Royals |
| 1961–1962 | New York Knicks |
| 1962–1963 | St. Louis Hawks |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 4,833 (10.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,028 (6.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 769 (1.7 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Professional career
A 6'10" center from Whitworth University, Jordon played seven seasons (1956–1963) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Cincinnati Royals, and St. Louis Hawks. He averaged 10.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game in his career.[1]
Jordon was a member of the Knicks' team that surrendered 100 points to the Philadelphia Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain on March 2, 1962, but he missed the game due to what was officially reported as influenza. Although it is speculated that Jordon was also suffering from a hangover, this claim has been disputed by Knicks teammate Willie Naulls.[2] His absence is often cited as a reason for Chamberlain's high point total since it left the Knicks with only one player, Darrall Imhoff, large enough to guard Chamberlain.[3]
Personal life
Jordon drowned after a rafting accident in Washington state on June 7, 1965. His raft, which was carrying four men, broke apart, and his body was discovered floating in Puget Sound on June 27.[4]
Jordon was of Wailaki and the Nomlaki Native American descent.[2] His son, Jon Jordon, played for Central Washington University.[2]
References
- Phil Jordon. basketball-reference.
- Barber, Phil (August 14, 2013). "Redwood Empire's forgotten NBA big man". The Press Democrat. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Neyer, Rob (May 30, 2005). "Rewinding Basketball's Clock To a Record-Setting Moment". New York Observer. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Independent Star-News (Pasadena, California). 27 June 1965.