James Frederick Saunders (born June 13, 1951) is a retired American professional basketball player.

Fred Saunders

Personal information
Born	(1951-06-13) June 13, 1951 (age 71) Columbus, Ohio
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school	Mohawk (Columbus, Ohio)
College	Louisiana (1970–1973) Syracuse (1973–1974)
NBA draft	1974 / Round: 2 / Pick: 31st overall
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career	1974–1978
Position	Small forward
Number	30, 20, 12
Career history
1974–1976	Phoenix Suns
1976–1978	Boston Celtics
1978	New Orleans Jazz
Career NBA statistics
Points	1,107 (5.3 ppg)
Rebounds	624 (3.0 rpg)
Assists	224 (1.1 apg)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Collegiate career

Fred Saunders began his collegiate career at University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1970; in his three years there, he averaged 6.5 points per game. Saunders transferred to Syracuse University for his senior year. At Syracuse University, Saunders averaged 9.8 points per game as a power forward for the Orangemen. The Orangemen finished the season with a record of 17-9 and went on to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament. At Syracuse, he acquired the nickname "Chocolate Thunder" due to his unique skyhook. Collegiate Stats

NBA

Saunders was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1974 National Basketball Association Draft (31st Overall) by the Phoenix Suns; he played power forward for the Phoenix Suns and the Boston Celtics during the 1970s. NBA Stats