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.
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With 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.
Xavier McDaniel (L) of the Boston Celtics breaks up an offensive play by John Stockton (R) of the Utah Jazz during the first half 17 December 1993. The Jazz defeated the Celtics, 97-96. (Photo by JOHN MOTTERN / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN MOTTERN/AFP via Getty Images)
And for today’s article, we will continue with the fifth of eight people to wear the No. 31, Boston forward alum Xavier McDaniel. After ending his college career at Wichita State, McDaniel was picked up with the fourth overall selection of the 1985 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
The Columbia, South Carolina native also played for the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks before signing with the Celtics in 1992. His stay with the team would span three seasons, coming to an end when he left the NBA to play in Europe in 1995.
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During his time suiting up for the Celtics, McDaniel wore only jersey Nos. 31 and 34 and put up 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 31 – Xavier McDaniel (1992-95)