Phil Jordon

Phil Jordon

Jordon c. 1961
Personal information
Born	(1933-09-12)September 12, 1933 Lakeport, California, U.S.
Died	June 7, 1965(1965-06-07) (aged 31) Sumner, Washington, U.S.
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: 6th round, 42nd overall pick
Drafted by	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 NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Philip Jordon (September 12, 1933 – June 7, 1965) was an American professional basketball player. He played seven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Professional 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.

Jordon was a member of the Knicks' team that surrendered 100 points to the Philadelphia Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain on March 2, 1962, but he missed the game due to what was officially reported as influenza. Although it is speculated that Jordon was also suffering from a hangover, this claim has been disputed by Knicks teammate Willie Naulls. 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.

Personal life

Jordon drowned after a rafting accident in Washington on June 7, 1965. His raft, which was carrying four men, broke apart, and his body was discovered floating in Puget Sound on June 27.

Jordon was of Wailaki and the Nomlaki Native American descent. His son, Jon Jordon, played for Central Washington University.

He was raised by his parents, Johnny Jordon and Elizabeth Jordan. Phil had three brothers, all 6'4 tall and his sister Shirley, 6'.

It has been speculated that Jordon was the first NBA player with visible tattoos, which were on both upper arms.

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high
*	Led the league

NBA

Source

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	PPG
1956–57	New York	9	10.1	.367	.667	3.8	.2	4.9
1957–58	New York	12	6.3	.471	.833	2.0	.4	3.1
	Detroit	46	17.9	.409	.678	6.0	.7	9.0
1958–59	Detroit	72*	28.6	.413	.762	8.3	1.2	14.3
1959–60	Cincinnati	75	27.5	.393	.716	8.3	2.8	13.4
1960–61	Cincinnati	48*	23.8	.395	.731	8.8	2.2	10.9
	New York	31*	29.8	.374	.701	8.1	2.4	13.1
1961–62	New York	76	28.9	.392	.571	6.3	2.1	11.9
1962–63	St. Louis	73	19.5	.400	.554	4.4	1.4	6.5
Career		442	24.4	.398	.694	6.9	1.7	10.9

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	PPG
1958	Detroit	6	10.3	.400	.750	2.0	.3	6.5
1959	Detroit	3	33.0	.333	.833	8.0	1.7	15.0
1963	St. Louis	7	11.7	.375	.750	2.1	1.0	3.0
Career		16	15.2	.364	.786	3.2	.9	6.6