Jim Jarvis (born March 3, 1943) helped the Oregon State men’s basketball team reach the NCAA Tournament Final Four in 1963, played professionally and then coached at the Division I level.
Jarvis grew up in Southern Oregon, earning All-Tournament first-team honors in 1959 at Coquille when the Red Devils reached the semifinals, and in 1961 at Roseburg, which reached the quarterfinals. His father, Curt, coached both teams.
Jarvis played at Oregon State under legendary coach Slats Gill, and was a sophomore on the 1962-63 team that advanced to the Final Four. The following season, Jarvis averaged 13.8 points per game as the Beavers, led by Mel Counts, entered the NCAA Tournament at 25-3, but were upset by Seattle 61-57 in the first round by Idaho at McArthur Court. Jarvis averaged 21.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 1964-65 and was named an All-American, but the Beavers finished 16-10 and were left out of the tournament.
Jarvis was part of the first USA team to compete in the World University Games in Budapest. This group of collegiate stars included future pros Billy Cunningham, Bill Bradley, Lou Hudson and the Van Arsdale brothers easily won the gold. Jim’s pro debut was delayed because of a foot injury. He did play a season of minor league baseball.
Jim Jarvis entered the ABA in 1967 with Pittsburgh Pipers and was part of the league’s first-ever championship team. He played a total of two seasons with the Pipers, Oakland Oaks and L.A. Stars.
Jarvis went into the coaching ranks, and, after a successful stint at Spokane Falls Community College, was hired by Idaho in 1974 and spent four seasons there. He retired to Central Oregon and later worked as an analyst on Oregon State television broadcasts.
Jarvis was inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.