THE Boston Celtics have had gamers carrying a complete of 68 totally different jersey numbers (and three extra not a part of any numerical collection) since their founding on the daybreak of the Basketball Affiliation of America (BAA – the league that will grow to be the NBA of ‘as we speak), worn by greater than 500 gamers throughout Celtics historical past.
To commemorate the gamers who wore these numbers, Celtics Wire covers the complete historical past of jersey numbers and the gamers who wore them for the reason that staff’s inception.
With 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor a few of the best Celtics to put on these jerseys, there’s plenty of historical past to cowl.
Completely satisfied Birthday Kenny Battle! I could not discover a clip, photograph or something of you with the great guys, so right here you’re with the Combating Illini if you have been referred to as Flight 33: #Celtics
– Sincere☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) October 10, 2022
And for as we speak’s article, we’ll proceed with the fifth of 17 gamers to put on jersey No. 8, former Boston winger Kenny Battle. After ending his NCAA profession with Northern Illinois and Illinois Universities, Battle was chosen with the twenty seventh total choice within the 1989 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.
He would by no means swimsuit up for the Pistons, nonetheless, as an alternative buying and selling Micheal Williams to the Phoenix Suns for Anthony Prepare dinner that very same day. The Aurora, Illinois native would additionally play for the Denver Nuggets earlier than being launched by the Nuggets in 1991, opening up the likelihood for him to signal with the Nuggets. Celtics on two 10-day provides in 1992.
That stint ended after simply 8 days, with Battle signing with the Golden State Warriors a couple of weeks later. He would signal with Boston early within the 1992-93 season earlier than leaving the league, with that keep being even shorter – simply 3 video games. Throughout his time with the Celtics, Battle wore jersey No. 8 and averaged 2.5 factors and 1.8 rebounds per sport.
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This text was initially revealed on Celtics Wire: Historical past of the Celtics jersey No. 8 (1992-93)