Jim-Cleamons

Only four men have won 10 or more NBA Championship rings and Jim Cleamons is part of this elite group.

With over 45 years of professional and collegiate basketball experience, Cleamons has played with or against most of the NBA 's 50 Greatest Basketball Players. Few have seen the evolution of the game or the NBA from inside.

"I joke about what it takes to be a competitor in the NBA. Kids coming out of school now are in such a hurry to acquire the finer things in life, but to become a true champion, it ultimately comes down to experience. There is no substitute. It is hard to get in the league; it is harder to stay there.” says Cleamons.

Cleamons expresses, “It's a job.”

“My passion is to teach the next generation what is required to be that champion. I love to teach. I have been blessed for so many years to be in a gym and pass on key elements of the game," says Cleamons.

"How do you maintain excellence, year after year? What I want these kids to strive for is leading productive and fulfilling life, with or without basketball," says Cleamons.

Jim Cleamons played collegiate ball at Ohio State University, Cleamons averaged 18.5ppg and 7.3 rebounds and was honored to be an Academic All-American. Cleamons was the first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971, he is a part of the '71 Lakers team that still holds the winningest record of 33 straight wins.

Cleamons honed his extraordinary basketball IQ playing nine seasons in the NBA. His journey is nothing short of spectacular. After one season with the Lakers, Jim earned his first Championship ring and was then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He played for five seasons with the Cavs and was instrumental in helping the Cavaliers capture the Central Division title in the 1975-76, that same season Cleamons was named to the NBA All ¬Defensive team. He then played with the New York Knicks for the 1977-78 season, where he first teamed up with Phil Jackson. In 1979 -80 Cleamons was traded to the Washington Bullets, where He finished his playing career.

Cleamons successfully made the difficult shift from player to coach and took his extensive knowledge to programs everywhere from Furman University to Youngstown State. Coach Cleamons joined the Chicago Bulls staff in the 1990's during the Michael Jordan heyday. Cleamons experience and expertise on the staff was an integral part of Jackson's six NBA titles with the Bulls.

The Dallas Mavericks was Cleamons sole NBA head coaching experience was where he coached Hall of Famer Jason Kidd.

After coaching the Mavericks Cleamons returned to the Lakers, as once again Phil Jackson called on Cleamons expertise.

Their winning formula led to another five championships seasons in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, & 2010. In addition, he coached Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton, & Karl Malone.