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.
INDIANAPOLIS – MAY 5: Jermaine O’Neal #7 of the Indiana Pacers tries to get the rebound as Gary Payton #20 of the Boston Celtics looks on in Game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2005 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 25th of 31 people to wear the No. 20 jersey, Hall of Fame Boston guard alum Gary Payton Sr. After ending his college career at Oregon State, Payton was picked up with the second overall selection of the 1990 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
The Oakland, California native would also have stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers before he was dealt to Boston in 2004. His stay with the team would span a single a season before he was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in 2005.
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During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Payton wore only jersey No. 20 and put up 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 20 – Gary Payton Sr. (2004-05)