Phil Jordon
Philip Jordon (September 12, 1933 – June 7, 1965) was an American basketball player who played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 12, 1933 Lakeport, California |
| Died | June 7, 1965 (aged 31) Sumner, Washington |
| Nationality | Native American |
| 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 / Round: 6 / Pick: 42nd overall |
| 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 Basketball-Reference.com | |
Early life and 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 2 March 1962. However, Jordon missed that game, being ill with what was officially reported as influenza, though it was widely suspected that he was hungover. Whatever Jordon's illness actually was, 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.[2]
Jordon drowned after a rafting accident in Washington State on 7 June 1965. His raft, which was carrying four men, broke apart, and his body was discovered floating in Puget Sound on 27 June.[3]
Jordon was of Wailaki and the Nomlaki Native American descent.[4] His son, Jon Jordon, played for Central Washington University.[4]
References
- Phil Jordon. basketball-reference.
- Rob Neyer. Rewinding Basketball's Clock To a Record-Setting Moment. The New York Observer. 29 May 2005.
- Independent Star-News (Pasadena, California). 27 June 1965.
- Redwood Empire's forgotten NBA big man The Prss Democrat August 14, 2013