[10] He had a nine-year NBA career for four teams (the Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks, and the Washington Bullets).

[13][14][15] As back-up point guard to future hall of fame player Jerry West, Cleamons averaged only 5.3 minutes per game.

[15][16] In August 1972, the Lakers traded Cleamons to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a second round draft pick.

[3][12] He was a part-time player during his first two years in Cleveland, but in the 1974-75 season his playing time increased to over 36 minutes per game.

This was the Cavaliers first truly successful squad in its six-year history, and became known as the "Miracle of Richfield" team under coach Bill Fitch.

[3] Cleamons played one more season in Cleveland, and signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks in October 1977, with the Cavaliers receiving the 32-year old Walt Frazier as compensation.

[3] He would be Jackon's assistant on nine NBA championship teams with the Bulls and Lakers, coaching both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (among others).

[7] For a few games during his tenure with the Lakers, he served as acting head coach while Phil Jackson was absent.

[25] In 2014, Jackson hired Cleamons to join the New York Knicks coaching staff under Derek Fisher.

[26] In 2017, Cleamons accepted a position as an assistant coach for the Yeshiva University of Los Angeles (YULA) high school boys basketball team.

[29] In late 2019 and early 2020, Cleamons served as an NBA basketball ambassador in Africa and Australia.

[30] Since moving back to Columbus he has served as a motivational speaker and basketball instructor to high school youth.