On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team participated in the 1958 NBA draft, held in New York City.
The Celtics would make two picks of note, both late in their respective rounds (there were several more rounds to the NBA draft then than there is today). Boston would take big man Bennie Swain first out of Texas Southern University with the seventh overall pick, and forward Jimmy Smith out of Franciscan College with the 15th overall selection. Swain would end up sharing the frontcourt with Celtics legendary center Bill Russell on the 1959 title team as a reserve.
He would record 4.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in his sole season with Boston, his career cut short by a devastating knee injury in the summer after his rookie season.