There are 23 retired numbers for the Boston Celtics. These numbers include
00, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and LOSCY
No. 1 Walter Brown
He was retired on October 17, 1964.
The Boston Celtics franchise’s founder and initial owner…
From 1946 through 1964, he was the owner of the Celtics…
On September 7, 1964, he died at his Cape Cod home after having a heart attack.
He was also the owner of the Boston Garden-Arena Corporation and the President of the Boston Bruins hockey team. He was a driving force behind the establishment of the inaugural NBA All-Star Game, which was held in the Boston Garden in 1951.
No. 2 Arnold ‘Red’ Auerbach
On January 4, 1985, Arnold ‘Red’ Auerbach’s number was retired.
The number denotes that Auerbach is only second to Walter Brown as the most influential person in the Boston Celtics organization’s history…
From 1950-51 to 1965-66, he was the team’s head coach, winning nine NBA world championships, including eight in a row from 1958-59 to 1965-66.
He went on to lead the Celtics to another seven NBA championships as President and General Manager.
In 1965, he was named NBA Coach of the Year.
In 1968, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 1970, he was named NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time team coach. In 1980, he was named NBA Executive of the Year…
In 1980, the Professional Basketball Writers’ Association of America named him the “Greatest Coach in NBA History”.
In 1996, he was designated one of the top ten coaches in NBA history. He died on October 28, 2006.
Dennis Johnson – Number 3
Dennis Johnson was retired on December 13, 1991.
From 1983 until 1990, “DJ” was a member of the Celtics for seven seasons…
In 1984 and 1986, he was a key member of the Celtics’ NBA championship teams…
In 1979, he was a member of the Seattle SuperSonics’ world championship squad, and he was named Most Valuable Player in postseason play.
In 1980, Dennis Johnson was chosen to the All-NBA second team.
In 1981, he was chosen to the NBA’s first team of All-Stars.
Five seasons (1978-79 through 1982-83) and again in 1987, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team…
Three years in a row, he was chosen to the NBA All-Defensive second team (1984, 1985, 1986)…
In 1979-82 and 1985, Dennis Johnson was a five-time NBA All-Star. From 1992-93 through 1996-97, he worked as an assistant coach with the Celtics.
On February 23, 2007, he died.
No. 6 (Bill Russell)
Bill Russell was retired on March 12, 1972.
Russell, regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was a key member of the Boston Celtics teams that won nine NBA world championships in a row in 1957, 1959, and 1966, and two more in consecutive seasons in 1968 and 1969.
Bill Russell was NBA’s Most Valuable Player five times (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965)…
In his 13-year NBA career, he has been a 12-time NBA All-Star, despite missing his rookie season (1956-57)…
Was the Most Valuable Player in the 1963 NBA All-Star Game.
With 21,620 rebounds (an average of 22.5 per game), he is the Celtics’ all-time top rebounder and has led the NBA four times in this category.
In 1959, 1963, and 1965, he was named to the All-NBA first team, as well as the NBA All-Defensive first team in 1969..
In 1970, he was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team; in 1980, he was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team; and in 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History…
In 1975, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 1980, the Professional Basketball Writers’ Association of America named him the greatest player in NBA history…
From 1966-67 until 1968-69, he was the Celtics’ head coach, concluding with a 162-83 (.661) record and two world championship victories in 1968 and 1969.
No. 10 – JoJo White
On April 9, 1982, the number was retired.
10
JoJo White was a point guard with the Boston Celtics who guided the team to NBA World Championships in 1974 and 1976.
In 1968, he was a member of the United States Olympic Team that won gold.
From 1969-70 to 1978-79, he was a member of the Green and White. In 1970, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie team. In 1975 and 1977, he was named to the NBA second team.
Was named to the NBA All-Star team seven times. In 1976, he was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after playing 60 minutes in the epic triple-overtime Game 5 victory over the Phoenix Suns at the Boston Garden.
Bob Cousy, No. 14
Retired on October 16, 1963
Cousy, one of the best playmakers and passers in NBA history, spent his entire 13-year career with the Celtics.
In 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1963, he assisted in the Green and White winning six NBA world championships…
In 1957, he was named NBA Most Valuable Player.
Cousy was named to the NBA First Team ten times (1952 through 1961).
He was a 13-time All-Star in the NBA (tied with John Havlicek for the most in Celtics history)…
In 1954 and 1957, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game…
In 1970, he was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1980, and the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
In 1971, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame…
With 6,945 assists, he is the Celtics’ all-time assist leader.
No. 15 (Tom Heinsohn)
Tom was retired on October 15, 1966.
In 1957, Tommy was named NBA Rookie of the Year.
In his nine-year playing career, he played with the Celtics and helped them win eight NBA world championships (1957, 1959, and 1965).
From 1969-70 until 1977-78, he was the Celtics’ head coach, leading the team to two more NBA championships in 1974 and 1976.
In 1973, he was named NBA Coach of the Year.
He was a six-time All-Star in the NBA (1957 and 1961 through 1965).
Four times he was named to the NBA second team (1961 through 1964).
In 1986, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 16 (Tom “Satch” Sanders)
Tom Sanders was retired in January 1973.
“Satch” spent his whole NBA career with the Celtics.
From 1960-61 to 1965-66, then again in 1967-68 and 1968-69, he assisted in leading the Green and White to eight NBA world championships.
In 1968-69, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
In terms of games played, he is the sixth-best player in Celtics history. With 916 minutes played, he was 7th in rebounds with 5,798 and 10th in minutes played. I played with a total of 22,164 people… For parts of the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons, he was the Celtics’ head coach. In September of 2007, he was awarded the John Bunn Award by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.
Number 17 (John Havlicek)
The number was retired on October 13, 1978.
16 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics.
From 1963 to 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976, he was a key member of the Green and White’s eight NBA world championship teams.
In 1974, he was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
From 1971 to 1974, he was named to the All-NBA First Team four times.
In 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, and 1976, he was named to the NBA Second Team seven times.
From 1972 to 1976, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team five times in a row.
From 1969 to 1971, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times in a row.
NBA All-Star 13 times (tied for the most in Celtics history with Bob Cousy).
Was a member of the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1962-63.
In 1980, he was named to the NBA’s 35th Anniversary All-Time Team, and in 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
In 1984, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Is the all-time leader in the following statistical categories for the Celtics: There were 1,270 games played; 10,513 field goals were made; 23,930 field goals were attempted; 46,471 minutes were played; 26,395 points were scored; 6,589 free throws were attempted; 5,369 free throws were made, and 3,281 personal fouls were committed. With 6,114 assists, he is second all-time behind Cousy.
No. 18 Dave Cowens
On February 8, 1981, the number was withdrawn.
From 1970-71 through 1979-80, he was a member of the Celtics.
In 1971, he was named NBA co-Rookie of the Year.
In 1971, Dave Cowens was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. In 1973, he was named NBA Most Valuable Player…
In 1974 and 1976, he helped the Celtics win two NBA world championships.
In 1973, 1975, and 1976, he was named to the NBA second team.
In 1976, Dave was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team… In 1975 and 1980, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive second team.
From 1972 to 1978, he was a seven-time NBA All-Star.
In 1973, he won the NBA All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player award.
In 1996, he was named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.
In 1990, Dave was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
For a portion of the 1978-79 season, he was the Celtics’ head coach.
With 10,170 rebounds, he ranks third on the Celtics’ all-time rebounding list, behind Bill Russell and Robert Parish.
No. 19 – Don Nelson
On December 15, 1976, number 19 was retired.
“Nellie” was an 11-year Celtics veteran, having represented the Green and White from 1965-66 through 1975-76…
In 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, and 1976, he helped the Celtics win five NBA world championships…
In 1983, 1985, and 1992, he was selected NBA Coach of the Year.
In 1996, he was named one of the top ten coaches in NBA history.
With 872 games played and 4,517 rebounds, he is the eighth-best player in Celtics history.
No. 21 – Bill Sharman
On October 15, 1966, the number was withdrawn.
From 1951-52 through 1960-61, he spent ten seasons with the Celtics, helping the Green and White win four NBA championships in 1957, 1959, 1960, and 1961.
From 1956 to 1959, he was named to the NBA’s first team four times in a row.
In 1953, 1955, and 1960, he was named to the NBA’s second team.
From 1953 to 1960, he was an eight-time NBA All-Star.
Was the Most Valuable Player in the 1955 NBA All-Star Game.
In 1970, he was named to the NBA’s 25th Anniversary All-Time Team, and in 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
In 1972, he was named NBA Coach of the Year.
In 1976, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame…
With a.911 free throw percentage, he is the best free-throw shooter in Celtics history (370-for-406).
No. 22 (Ed Macauley)
The number was withdrawn on October 16, 1963.
One of the Celtics’ initial superstars was “Easy Ed”.
From 1950-51 through 1955-56, he was a member of the Celtics for six seasons.
In 1951, 1952, and 1953, he was named to the NBA’s first team.
In 1954, he was named to the NBA’s second team.
NBA All-Star six times.
Was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1951 NBA All-Star Game, which took place on March 2, 1951, at the Boston Garden.
In 1960, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 23 – Frank Ramsey
The “Kentucky Colonel” spent his entire NBA career with the Celtics.
By becoming the Celtics’ first “sixth man,” he changed basketball.
In 1956-57 and 1958-59 through 1963-64, he helped the Green and White win seven NBA world championships…
In 1958-59 and 1960-61, he led the Celtics in games played.
In 1957-58, he led the squad in free throws made.
In 1981, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 24 – Sam Jones
On March 9, 1969, the number was withdrawn.
For his consistent and all-around skills, Sam was dubbed “Mr. Clutch” by his colleagues and peers.
From 1957-58 through 1968-69, he spent 12 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics.
In 1959, 1960, 1966, 1968, and 1969, he helped lead the Green and White to ten NBA global championships.
From 1965 to 1967, he was named to the NBA’s second team.
In 1970, he was named to the NBA’s 25th Anniversary All-Time Team, and in 1996, he was named to the list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
He was a five-time All-Star in the NBA.
With 15,411 points, he is the 6th all-time top scorer in Celtics history and 9th in both Games. Minutes and 871 were used in this game. Played with a total of 24,285 people. In 1962-63, 1964-65, and 1965-66, he led the Celtics in scoring three times. In 1984, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 25 – K.C. Jones
On February 12, 1967, the number was withdrawn.
From 1958-59 through 1966-67, he spent nine seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics.
From 1959 through 1967, he was a key part of Green and White’s eight consecutive NBA world championships.
He was the Celtics’ Assists leader for three straight seasons, from 1963-64 to 1965-66, and he presently ranks 7th all-time in this statistic with 2,904 career assists.
After retiring as a player in 1967, he went on to coach the Celtics from 1983 to 1988, winning two NBA World Championships with the team in 1984 and 1986.
In 1989, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 31 Cedric Maxwell
On December 15, 2003, the number was retired.
Cedric Maxwell, popularly known as “Max” by his colleagues and friends, became the 22nd Celtics great to have his number retired.
Cornbread is another name for it. Cedric, Boston’s top pick (the 12th overall) in the 1977 NBA Draft (from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte), played eight seasons for the Celtics, from 1977 to 1985. He led the NBA in field goal percentage in 1979 and 1980… in 1978-79, “Max” shot 58.4 percent from the field, and in 1979-80, he shot a blistering 60.9 percent from the floor. He helped lead the Celtics to NBA World Championship titles in 1981 and 1984.
Kevin McHale, number 32
Number 32, retired on January 30, 1994.
From 1980-81 until 1992-93, he spent 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics.
In 1981, 1984, and 1986, he assisted in the Green and White winning three NBA world championships.
In 1981, he was a member of the All-Rookie team.
In 1987, he was named to the NBA’s first team of All-Stars.
In 1984 and 1985, he won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award.
Was named to the NBA All-Star team seven times.
From 1986 to 1988, he was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times in a row.
In 1983, 1989, and 1990, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
In 1996, he was voted one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.
Currently ranked 3rd in the Games category. With 971 games played, he is the fourth-leading scorer in Celtics history, with 17,335 points, and sixth in both rebounds and minutes with 7,122. I played with a total of 30,118 people… In 1988-89, he led the club in scoring and minutes played… In 1999, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 33 – Larry Bird
On February 4, 1993, the number was withdrawn.
From 1979-80 through 1991-92, he spent 13 seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics…
In 1981, 1984, and 1986, he helped the Celtics win three NBA world championships.
In 1984 and 1986, he was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
From 1984 through 1986, he was named NBA Most Valuable Player three times in a row.
Was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1980.
In 1980, he was a member of the NBA All-Rookie team.
From 1980 to 1988, he was a member of the All-NBA first team nine times in a row.
In 1990, he was named to the NBA’s second team… From 1982 to 1984, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times in a row. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and the Most Valuable Player in the 1982 NBA All-Star Game.
In 1986, 1987, and 1988, he won the NBA All-Star Game Long Distance Shootout three times in a row… In 1996, he was voted one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players.
Eight seasons in a row, from 1979-80 through 1985-86, he led the Celtics in minutes played and points… With 21,791 points (behind John Havlicek) and 5,695 assists (behind Bob Cousy and Havlicek), he is currently ranked second in Celtics history in both categories. In 1998, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
No. 34 – Paul Pierce
On February 11, 2018, the number was retired.
No. 35 Reggie Lewis
On March 22, 1995, the number was retired.
From 1987-88 to 1992-93, he spent six seasons in the NBA, all with the Celtics.
He was a quiet, yet well-liked, leader.
In his career, he has appeared in 352 games as a starter.
In 1992, he was named to the NBA All-Star team.
On April 13, 1992, he was selected NBA Player of the Week.
In 1992-93, he was the team’s captain.
In Minutes, he was the team’s leader. From 1990-91 to 1992-93, he played and scored in three straight seasons… Is the only Celtics player to have a season with 100 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 steals, and 100 blocked shots (1991-92). (394 rebounds, 185 assists, 125 steals, and 105 blocks). On July 27, 1993, he died.
No. 00 – Robert Parish
The number was retired on January 18, 1998.
From 1980-81 through 1993-94, “The Chief” spent 21 seasons in the NBA, setting the record for most seasons played by an NBA player, including 14 with the Green and White.
With 1,611 games played, he holds the NBA record for most games played.
In 1981, 1984, and 1986, he helped the Celtics win three NBA world championships.
In 1982, he was named to the NBA’s second team.
In 1989, he was named to the NBA’s third team.
Was a nine-time NBA All-Star, including seven in a row from 1981 to 1987, as well as in 1990 and 1991.
He formed one of the best front lines in NBA history with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale.
In 1996, he was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players.
Eight years as the Celtics’ rebounding leader.
With 1,106 games played, he is currently second all-time in Celtics history (after John Havlicek) in games played; second in Rebounds (behind Bill Russell) with 11,051; and third in both Minutes and Rebounds (behind Bill Russell). With 34,977 players and 18,245 points… In 2003, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Jim Loscutoff – LOSCY 18
“Loscy” was a hard-nosed Celtics great who spent his entire NBA career with the Green and White.
Assisted in the Celtics winning seven NBA championships, including six in a row from 1958 through 1963-64.
In 1956-57, he had possibly his greatest season, averaging 10.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game while leading the Celtics to their first championship.
He requested that his number18 not be retired so that it may be worn by a future Celtic; the number 18 was later retired in honor of Dave Cowens.
