North Carolina Central to unveil sculpture honoring NBA legend Sam Jones

North Carolina Central University will unveil a sculpture honoring the late NBA legend Sam Jones at McDougald-McLendon Arena. The tribute, created by artist Douglas Aja, will serve as a permanent installation at the institution where Jones played collegiate basketball.

Jones, a 10-time NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, starred at North Carolina Central (then North Carolina College) between 1951 and 1957. During his collegiate career, he scored 1,745 points, ranking second on the program’s all-time scoring list. After being selected eighth overall in the 1957 NBA Draft, Jones became a cornerstone of the Celtics dynasty, earning five All-Star selections and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The ceremony will include family members, friends, and university officials. Following the unveiling, the sculpture will remain on display to commemorate Jones’s athletic legacy and his impact on the university.