On this day in 1980, former Boston Celtic small forward Jiří Welsch was born in Pardubice, in the Czech Republic.
Welsh began his basketball career in Europe playing for with BK JIP Pardubice of the Czech Republic League, CSA Sparta Prague and Union Olimpija Ljubljana before being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft. He was dealt to the Golden State Warriors on draft night for future draft assets, and would play with them for one season before being dealt again, this time to the Dallas Mavericks in the offseason, who traded him yet again to the Boston Celtics for Antoine Walker and Tony Delk.
Happy birthday Jiri Welsch! #Celtics pic.twitter.com/Xq4bkSQUN9
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) January 27, 2021