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.
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 08: J.R. Smith #5 of the Denver Nuggets fights for the ball with Semih Erden #86 and Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics on December 8, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 105-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
And for today’s article, we will continue with the first of two to wear the No. 86, big man alum Semih Erden. After starting his pro career abroad, Erden was picked up with the 60th overall selection of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Celtics.
The Istanbul, Turkey native played the first 37 games of his pro career with Boston, coming to an end when he was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011.
During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Erden wore only jersey No. 86 and put up 4.1 points and 2.6 rebounds 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. 86 – Semih Erden (2010-11)