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.
21 Nov 1997: Guard Sherman Douglas of the New Jersey Nets tries to get the ball past forward Andrew DeClercq (center) and guard Ron Mercer of the Boston Celtics during a game at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won the game 101-93.
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.
And for today’s article, we will continue with the sixth of 13 people to wear the No. 45, Boston big man alum Andrew DeClercq. After ending his college career at the University of Florida, DeClercq was picked up with the 34th overall selection of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
The Detroit, Michigan native played the first two seasons of his pro career with the Dubs before he signed with Boston in 1997. His stay with the team lasted until he was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1999.
During his time suiting up for the Celtics, DeClercq wore only jersey No. 45 and put up 5.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.
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All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 45 – Andrew DeClercq (1997-99)