Feb. 26, 2026, 8:00 a.m. ET
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.
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 first of one to wear the No. 98, big man alum Jason Collins. After ending his college career at Stanford, Collins was picked up with the 18th overall selection of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets.
The Northridge, California native played parts of the first seven seasons of his pro career with the Nets. He also played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Atlanta Hawks before he signed with Boston in 2012. His stay with the team lasted until was dealt to the Washington Wizards in 2013.
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During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Collins wore only jersey No. 98 and put up 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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