On this day in Boston Celtics history, big man Travis Knight was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1974. Knight played his college ball with the University of Connecticut Huskies and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 29th pick of the 1996 NBA draft.
For whatever reason, the Bulls balked at signing Knight to the three-year deal required for a first-round pick, and Chicago renounced his rights less than a month later. He was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers, and he made the NBA All-Rookie second team in his inaugural season in the league.
A free agent after his first season, Knight signed a seven-year, $22 million deal with the Celtics under head coach and team president Rick Pitino.