The Boston Celtics have had players suiting up in a total of 68 different jersey numbers (and have three others not part of any numerical series) since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- the league that would become today's NBA), worn by well over 500 players in the course of Celtics history.
To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Celtics Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Celtics to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
EAST RUTHERFORD, UNITED STATES: Boston Celtics center Eric Riley (R) tries to keep the ball away from New Jersey Nets center Jim McIlvaine (L) in the second quarter 27 February at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)And for today's article, we will continue with the sixth of 14 people to wear the No. 44, Boston big man alum Eric Riley. After ending his college career at Michigan, Riley was picked up with the 33rd overall selection of the 1993 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Cleveland, Ohio native played the first season of his pro career with the Houston Rockets instead after a draft night deal. He would also have stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, in other leagues, and for the Mavs before he signed with Boston to finish his NBA career in 1999.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDuring his time suiting up for the Celtics, Riley wore only jersey No. 44 and put up 2.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 44 - Eric Riley (1999)
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