[2] Jones was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, but grew up in Portland, Oregon, where he led Franklin High School to the state basketball championship in 1959.

Jones played for the Oakland Oaks (1967–68), New Orleans Buccaneers/Memphis Pros (1968–1971), Dallas Chaparrals (1971–1973), Carolina Cougars (1973–1974), Denver Rockets (1974) and Spirits of St. Louis (1974–1975).

Jones' broadcasting career began in 1976 (the season after he retired as a player with the Portland Trail Blazers), when he became a color commentator for CBS.

Jones joined NBC shortly after the network obtained the rights to telecast NBA games prior to the 1990–91 season.

[3] [2] He was survived by his younger brother, Nick Jones (his older brother Roman had died earlier the same week), his mother & sisters, his wife Carol and son Steve Jr. Steve Jones Jr would go on to play college basketball and become an assistant coach in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets.