On this day, Boston Celtics All-Star forward Gordon Hayward was born, in 1990. He played college basketball for the Butler Bulldogs under his current coach for the Celtics — Brad Stevens — and was drafted ninth overall by the Utah Jazz in 2010.
He would make his first All-Star appearance with that team in 2017 before leaving in free agency to join Boston, where he has averaged 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
It is also the birthday of former Celtic guard Joseph Forte, who was born in 1981. He played two seasons at UNC Chapel Hill before being drafted by Boston 21st overall in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Happy birthday @gordonhayward đâď¸đ pic.twitter.com/OAUjASvYlg
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 23, 2020
Forte averaged 0.8 points and as many rebounds and assists per game in his single season with the Celtics, being traded along with guard Kenny Anderson and big man Vitaly Potapenko for forward Vin Baker and guard Shammond Williams.
Ex-Celtic wing Jeff Judkins was also born today, in 1956.
Tonight's @huskerswbb opponent BYU Coach Jeff Judkins picked 2nd rd 1978 NBA Draft by Boston Celtics. 1st rd pick was Larry Bird. #Huskers
— Matt Coatney (@Coatman1) March 24, 2014
The Salt Lake City native played for the Utah Utes before being drafted by Boston in the 1978, at the eight pick of the second round in the same draft as Larry Bird.
Judkins would play two seasons for the Celtics, and averaged 7.3 points, 1.8 boards and 1.3 assists in his time with the franchise.
It is also the anniversary of legendary Boston big man Dave Cowens being drafted by the Celtics fourth overall in the 1970 NBA draft out of Florida State despite criticisms he was too small to play the position at 6-foot-9.
The Kentuckian would win two rings with Boston and make eight All-Star games in his ten seasons with the team — among many other honors — averaging 18.2 points, 14 rebounds and 2.1 assists in that stretch.
Former Celtic big man Ryan Hollins signed with Boston as a late-season buyout after being released by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2012.
Hollins added depth to an aging Celtics bench, and he averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 boards with Boston for the remainder of the season.
There have also been four wins for the Celtics on this date since the season of Banner 17.
The first was a 90-77 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in 2009.
It saw UConn product Ray Allen score 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting (including 3-of-3 from deep), and point guard Rajon Rondo add 14 points, 7 assists and 5 steals.
Kevin Garnett chipped in 12 points in his second game back after an extended absence due to a knee injury.
Boston also defeated the Brooklyn Nets today in 2015 behind wing Evan Turner, who logged a 19-point, 10-board, 12-assist performance.
He had help from guard Avery Bradley’s 20 points and 7 rebounds, and center Tyler Zeller’s 18 points and 7 rebounds, while big man Kelly Olynyk had 18 points and 5 boards off the bench.
In 2016, the Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors at home 91-79 with 23 points from Isaiah Thomas.
Turner added 17 points and 7 boards, Bradley 16 points and 8 rebounds, and center Amir Johnson 11 points and 14 boards.
Finally, in 2018, Boston dispatched the Portland Trail Blazers 105-100 with a huge game from Marcus Morris Sr.
The Kansas product scored 30 points on 9-of-13 shooting, also going 5-of-6 from 3-point range.
Guard Terry Rozier added 16 points and 5 boards while swingman Jayson tatum chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds, and center Greg Monroe contributed 10 points and as many rebounds from the bench.
[lawrence-related id=31375,31368,31364,31302]