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 fifth of six people to wear the No. 35, Boston forward alum Sly Williams. After ending his college career at URI, Williams was picked up with the 21st overall selection of the 1979 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.
The New Haven, Connecticut native would play the first four seasons of his pro career with the Knicks, and also played for the Atlanta Hawks before he signed with Boston in 1985. His stay with the team would span just six games, his last in the league.
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During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Williams wore only jersey No. 35 and put up 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics jersey history No. 35 – Sly Williams (1985)