On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics small forward Fred Saunders signed with the team as a free agent in 1976. Saunders played his college ball with the Syracuse Orangemen before being drafted in the second round with the 31st pick in the 1974 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.
Chocolate Thunder — as he was sometimes called — played for the Suns for two full seasons before joining Boston, with which he played just two seasons, averaging a total of 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1 assist over 13.8 minutes per game with the franchise over that stretch.
He was dealt to the New Orleans Jazz for draft assets in 1978. He played 30 games before being waived in his final stop in the NBA.