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 first of six people to wear the No. 19 jersey, Boston big man alum Bob Doll. After ending his college career at Colorado, Doll joined the (defunct) St. Louis Bombers in their (and the league’s) first-ever season in 1946.
The Steamboat Springs, Colorado native would play the first two seasons of his pro career with the Bombers, ending when he signed with the Celtics in 1948. His stay with the team would span two seasons, ending when he was dealt to the (then) Minneapolis (now, Los Angeles) Lakers in 1950 (he would later retire).
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During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Doll wore only jersey No. 19 and put up 7.3 points and 2.4 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 19 – Bob Doll (1948-50)