Jo Jo White
Inducted:
2015
Player Stats:
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Born:
November 16, 1946
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died:
January 16, 2018
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Position:
Point guard
College:
Kansas (1965–1969)
Jo Jo White was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics during the 1970s, known for his durability, clutch shooting, and leadership at point guard. Drafted ninth overall in 1969, White became a central figure in Boston’s transition after Bill Russell’s retirement. He played 10 seasons with the Celtics, guiding the team to two NBA championships in 1974 and 1976. White’s relentless style and consistency earned him seven consecutive All-Star selections.
His most iconic performance came in the 1976 NBA Finals, when he played 60 minutes and scored 33 points in the legendary triple-overtime Game 5 against Phoenix, earning Finals MVP. Renowned for his ironman streak, he played 488 consecutive games and was a steady two-way presence throughout his career. White retired with over 14,000 career points and left a legacy of resilience and excellence. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, he remains one of the Celtics’ all-time great guards.
White's Awards & Records:
- 2× NBA champion (1974, 1976)
- NBA Finals MVP (1976)
- 7× NBA All-Star (1971–1977)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1975, 1977)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1970)
- 2× Consensus second-team All-American (1968, 1969)
NBA Teams:
Boston Celtics (1969–1979)
Golden State Warriors (1979–1980)
Kansas City Kings (1980–1981)
Topeka Sizzlers (1987)
NBA Draft:
1969: 1st round, 9th overall pick
Boston Celtics
Number Worn:
10, 12
NBA Stats:
Seasons:
1969–1981
Games Played:
837
Points:
14,399 (17.2 ppg)
Rebounds:
3,345 (4.0 rpg)
Assists:
4,095 (4.9 apg)
FG %:
44.4%
3P %:
16.7%
FT %:
83.4