Jo Jo White, one of the greatest players in Boston Celtics history, passed away on January 16, 2018, at the age of 71. He had been fighting a long and courageous battle with brain cancer, which was diagnosed in 2010. White was a seven-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA champion, and the MVP of the 1976 NBA Finals. He was also a gold medalist with the U.S. men’s basketball team at the 1968 Olympics and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In this article, we will look at the life and career of Jo Jo White, and how he succumbed to the deadly disease that took him away from his family, friends, and fans.
Contents
Early Life and College Career
Jo Jo White was born on November 16, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of a Baptist minister and his wife. He was the youngest of seven children and started playing basketball at the age of six. He attended McKinley High School in St. Louis, where he was a star player on the basketball team. He then enrolled at the University of Kansas, where he played for the Jayhawks from 1965 to 1969. He was a two-time consensus second-team All-American and led the Jayhawks to two Final Four appearances. He also set a school record for most points scored in a single game with 47 against North Carolina State in 1968. White was also a standout student, graduating with a degree in physical education.
NBA Career and Achievements
White was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the ninth overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft. He joined a team that had won 11 championships in 13 years, but was in transition after the retirement of Bill Russell. White quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile guard, who could score, pass, rebound, and defend. He played for the Celtics for 10 seasons, from 1969 to 1979, and was a key member of two championship teams in 1974 and 1976. He was also named the MVP of the 1976 NBA Finals, after leading the Celtics to a thrilling victory over the Phoenix Suns in six games. The fifth game of that series is considered one of the greatest games in NBA history, as it went to three overtimes and featured several clutch plays by White and his teammates. White scored 33 points and played 60 minutes in that game, which the Celtics won 128-126. White was also a seven-time NBA All-Star, from 1971 to 1977, and a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection, in 1975 and 1977. He set a Celtics record for most consecutive games played with 488, which was later broken by A.C. Green. White’s number 10 jersey was retired by the Celtics in 1982, and he was inducted into the Celtics Hall of Fame in 1993.
White also played for the Golden State Warriors and the Kansas City Kings in the later stages of his career, before retiring in 1981. He finished his NBA career with 14,399 points, 4,095 assists, and 3,345 rebounds, averaging 17.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, after a long wait that many felt was overdue.
Olympic Glory and Other Honors
White was also a proud representative of his country on the international stage. He was part of the U.S. men’s basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, under coach Henry Iba. White averaged 11.7 points per game in the tournament, and scored 14 points in the final against Yugoslavia, which the U.S. won 65-50. White was also a member of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada.
White received many other honors and accolades for his basketball achievements. He was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996, and was ranked as the 60th greatest player in NBA history by Slam magazine in 2009. He was also honored by his alma mater, the University of Kansas, which retired his number 15 jersey in 2003. He was also inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, along with his Hall of Fame induction.
Brain Cancer Diagnosis and Death
White’s life took a tragic turn in 2010, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor, but the cancer returned and spread to other parts of his body. He underwent several treatments and therapies, but his condition deteriorated over the years. He was hospitalized in Boston in December 2017, and died on January 16, 2018, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Deborah, whom he married in 1980, and his six children, Brian, Jocelyn, Jo Jo Jr., Jamie, Ashley, and Meka. He also had 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
White’s death was mourned by the basketball community, especially by the Celtics organization and fans. The Celtics released a statement, saying, “We are terribly saddened by the passing of the great Jo Jo White. He was a champion and a gentleman; supremely talented and brilliant on the court, and endlessly gracious off of it. Jo Jo was a key member of two championship teams, an NBA Finals MVP, a gold medal-winning Olympian, and a Hall of Famer. His contributions to the team’s championship legacy may have only been surpassed by the deep and lasting impact that he had in the community. The thoughts and sympathies of the entire Celtics organization are with the White family.” According to CBS Sports, many former and current players, coaches, and executives also expressed their condolences and paid tribute to White on social media and in interviews.
Conclusion
Jo Jo White was a basketball legend, who left a lasting legacy on the game and the people he touched. He was a fierce competitor, a loyal teammate, a humble leader, and a generous mentor. He was a hero to many, and a friend to all. He was a man of faith, courage, and dignity, who fought his illness with grace and optimism. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who cherished his family above all. He was a true Celtic, who embodied the spirit and tradition of the franchise. He was a Hall of Famer, who deserved every honor and recognition he received. He was Jo Jo White, and he will be missed.
