Sam Jones, who played shooting guard, is the player who has won the second most NBA titles in history, one less than the record holder Bill Russel.
Jones thus won a total of ten NBA titles, of which eight in a row (1959-66).
He represented the Boston Celtics throughout his playing career, and was then the assistant coach of the New Orleans Jazz 1974-775.
He passed away on December 30, at the age of 88.
"Sam Jones was one of the most talented and versatile players on the most successful and dominant team in NBA history, and he was always the best when it came to that," the club said in a statement.