The Boston Celtics' storied franchise has seen a plethora of athletes don a variety of jersey numbers throughout its history—a total of 68, to be precise. Of those, 25 jerseys have been retired in honor of the legends that wore them. Among the most notable is Bill Sharman, who graced the court wearing the No. 21 jersey from 1951 to 1961. As a Hall of Famer, Sharman was drafted 17th overall in 1950 by the now-defunct Washington Capitols, but it was with the Celtics that he made his mark. Over his 11-year NBA career, he secured four championships with Boston, leaving behind a legacy that transcends simply the stats he compiled.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, we celebrate the birthdays of two legends: KC Jones and Bill Sharman. Jones, born in 1932 in Taylor, Texas, was drafted by the Celtics in 1956, alongside Bill Russell, contributing to eight NBA championships during his nine seasons with the franchise. He averaged 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, later coaching the team to two additional titles in the 1980s. Inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1989, his legacy remains significant in Celtics lore.

Bill Sharman, born in 1926 in Abilene, Texas, played for the Celtics from 1951 to 1961, winning four championships and earning eight All-Star selections. His impressive tenure included averaging 18.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Sharman's contributions to the Celtics, both as a player and his later coaching career, solidified his status as a key figure in the team's history.

On this day in Celtics history, Bill Sharman was traded to Boston from the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1951, marking the beginning of an illustrious ten-year stint that included four championships and a role as the first player to win titles as a player, coach, and executive. A brief look at the 1952 NBA Draft highlights Conley’s selection by the Celtics, who later lost him to the Chicago Packers in the 1961 expansion draft, though he chose baseball instead. The day also commemorates the births of Moritz Wagner and Dwight 'Red' Morrison, both of whom had brief careers in Boston.

Additionally, this date marked the Celtics' seventh title victory in 1964 against the San Francisco Warriors, thanks to notable performances from legends like Bill Russell and Sam Jones. The win solidified the Celtics' dominance in the era and showcased their depth and resilience against one of the league's best in Wilt Chamberlain.