Fred Saunders

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is Fred Saunders: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you own something he signed — or you know who might — there is a note at the foot of this page.

A second-round pick of the Phoenix Suns in 1974, 31st overall, Saunders played power forward for the Suns and Boston Celtics during the decade, with his New Orleans Jazz stop coming in 1977-78. He began college at Louisiana-Lafayette, then transferred to Syracuse for his senior year and helped the 19-7 Orangemen reach the NCAA tournament.

Syracuse fans knew the Columbus, Ohio native by an unusual nickname, Chocolate Thunder, earned by his unique skyhook. He averaged 9.8 points a game in his one Orangeman season after 6.5 across three years in Louisiana.

HOW HE CAME & WENTBoston traded him to New Orleans on February 1, 1978 for a second-round pick that became Jeff Judkins. The Jazz waived him that October.

Full name

James Frederick Saunders

New Orleans Jazz tenure

1977–78

Position

Forward

Born

1951, Columbus, Ohio

Height

6′7″ (201 cm)

Weight

209 lb (95 kg)

College

Syracuse

Drafted

1974, 2nd round, Phoenix