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.
Oct 18, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The number 6 is seen on the Boston Celtics jersey honoring Celtic great Bill Russell during the third quarter of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
And for today’s article, we will continue with the third of eight people to wear the No. 52, Boston big man alum Earl Williams. After ending his college career at Winston-Salem State, Williams was picked up with the 49th overall selection of the 1974 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.
The Levittown, Pennsylvania native played the first season of his pro career with Phoenix. He would also have stints with the Detroit Pistons and (then) New York (now, Brooklyn) Nets as well as in other leagues before he signed with Boston in 1978. His stay with the team lasted until he was cut in 1979.
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During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Williams wore only jersey No. 52 and put up 6.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 52 – Earl Williams (1978-79)