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.
30 Mar 1995: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls de-shorts forward Derek Strong of the Boston Celtics during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 100-82. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
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.
And for today’s article, we will continue with the sixth of eight people to wear the No. 31, Boston forward alum Derek Strong. After ending his college career at Xavier, Strong was picked up with the 47th overall selection of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Los Angeles, California native would play the first season of his pro career abroad instead, however, signing with the (then) Washington Bullets (now, Wizards) in 1992. He also played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA — that era’s version of the G League) and for the Milwaukee Bucks before he was dealt to Boston in 1994.
His stay with the team would span a single season before he would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1995. During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Strong wore only jersey No. 31 and put up 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 31 – Derek Strong (1994-95)