Today in Boston Celtics history, Greg Stiemsma debut for the storied ball club in 2011. The University of Wisconsin – Madison alum was not selected by any team in the 2008 NBA Draft and ended up playing in other leagues as a pro in Turkey and South Korea as well as at the G League level before signing with the Celtics in December 2011 as a free agent.
It was several weeks before the former Badger saw any live game action with the Celtics, however, making his debut for the team on the 28th of that month. His debut came in a 97-78 loss to the (then) New Orleans Hornets (now, Pelicans) on the road. Stiemsma scored 2 points, 4 rebounds, and an impressive, record-setting 6 blocked shots with no turnovers and 3 personal fouls in just over 20 minutes of playing time.
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The Randolph, Wisconsin native would play 54 more games with the team before signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency.
January 18, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Greg Stiemsma (54) watches the action from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Other debuts
It was in the very same game that former Boston big man JaJuan Johnson made his Celtic debut as well. Johnson had played his collegiate ball with the University of Purdue Boilermakers, where he earned consensus All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He would be drafted 27th overall by the (then) New Jersey Nets (now, Brooklyn), but traded to Boston that night for MarShon Brooks and draft assets, making his debut in the same contest as Stiemsma.
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The Indianapolis native scored 4 points, hitting 1-of-2 field-goal attempts and both his attempts from the charity stripe in a little under three and a half minutes of floor time. He would play just 36 total contests for the Celtics before they included him in a three-team trade that brought Courtney Lee to the team in July 2012.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Greg Stiemsma, JaJuan Johnson debut