Today in Boston Celtics history, Charles Thomas Scott was born in New York City in 1948. Known as “Charlie” to a number of Celtics fans, the New York native broke the color barrier at the University of North Carolina as that famed institution of higher learning rostered their first Black scholarship athlete in history. He was then picked up by Boston with the 106th pick of the 1970 NBA Draft (there were many more rounds in that era). Before he finished his NCAA playing days, he won a gold medal in the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City, Mexico, along with future teammate Jo Jo White. Though drafted by Boston, Scott instead signed with the American Basketball Association’s (ABA — a competing league that later merged with the NBA) Virginia Squires for most of two seasons.
At the end of that run, Scott switched leagues and had his rights dealt to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Paul Silas in 1972. Scott played four seasons for that club before being dealt to the Celtics for Paul Westphal and draft assets. Scott earned the last of his three All-Star invites in his first season with Boston and a title in 1976, coincidentally against his former team, the Suns.
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In three seasons with the Celtics, the UNC alumnus averaged 17.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
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It was also on this date in 2003 that Celtics center Tony Battie was traded with Kedrick Brown and Eric Williams to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart and draft assets. Battie had been with the team for six seasons. Williams returned to the team for a second stint, and Brown was drafted out of Okaloosa-Walton Community College two seasons earlier. Only Ricky Davis stuck around with Boston for long, Mihm and Stewart lasted less than a season between them.
New Jersey Nets guard Kerry Kittles (C) is fouled as he drives between Boston Celtics players Antoine Walker (L) and Tony Battie (R) in the second quarter 27 February at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Finally, it is also the anniversary of former Celtic small forward Kevin Gamble signing with the team in 1988. The Illinois native was drafted out of Iowa by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1987 NBA draft, but he was waived after playing 19 minutes. After stints in the Continental Basketball Association (that era’s G League analog), the World Basketball League, and overseas, Gamble was signed by Boston to help cover for an injured Larry Bird.
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The former Hawkeye played his way into a starting role by his third season with the Celtics, for whom he played six seasons. He averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with the Celtics.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Scott born; Battie trade; Gamble debut