Photo Credit: Loc Cousy, via USA TODAY Sports
As the Boston Celtics prepare to open their 2024-25 NBA season, a special moment awaits one of the franchise’s most legendary figures. Bob Cousy, the iconic point guard who played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ early championships, will be honored with a championship ring during the team’s home opener against the Miami Heat. This event will also mark the raising of Banner 18, celebrating the Celtics’ latest NBA title.
Bob Cousy, often referred to as “The Houdini of the Hardwood,” was instrumental in the Celtics’ dominance during the 1950s and 1960s. He led the league in assists for eight consecutive years and was a key figure in Boston’s first NBA championship in 1957. Cousy went on to win five more titles with the Celtics before retiring in 1970. His contributions to the game were recognized with his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Celtics governor and majority owner Wyc Grousbeck personally visited Cousy’s home in Worcester, Massachusetts, to extend the invitation and inform him of the honor. Cousy, now 95 years old, expressed his excitement and gratitude for the unexpected recognition. “You’ve been instrumental in all the championships,” Grousbeck told Cousy, highlighting the deep bond between the player and the franchise.
The ceremony will take place at the TD Garden, where the Celtics will raise Banner 18 to the rafters. This banner commemorates the team’s recent triumph in the 2024 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Cousy will receive his championship ring alongside the current Celtics players, a gesture that bridges the team’s storied past with its promising future.
