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.
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.
And for today’s article, we will continue with the fourth of 14 people to wear the No. 43, Boston wing alum Derek Smith. After ending his college career at Louisville, was picked up with the 35th overall selection of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
The Hogansville, Georgia native would play the first season of his pro career with the Dubs. He also played for the (then) San Diego (now, Los Angeles) Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Philadelphia 76ers before he signed with Boston for the final season of his NBA career.
During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Smith wore only jersey No. 43 and put up 2.5 points and as many assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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