Today in Boston Celtics history, John Bagley re-signed with the storied ball club in free agency. Bagley played his NCAA ball at Boston College and was picked up with the 12th overall selection of the 1982 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He played for the Cavs and the (then) New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets before the Nets traded away the Bridgeport native to the Celtics in 1989 for draft picks and cash. After his first season with the team, chronic tendonitis and a subsequent surgery kept Bagley on the bench for the all of 1990-91 season, and his rehab went on beyond the length of his contract into the following season. The Celtics signed him in December 1992 once he was ready to return to action.
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He would only end up playing another 10 games for the franchise.
Historic milestones
It was also on this date that the Celtics pulled down more rebounds than in any other game in their franchise’s history — and in one of their highest-scoring games as well.
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The feat came in a 150-106 obliteration of the Detroit Pistons in 1960, which saw Boston nab 109 boards in a single game.
Rest in Peace
Finally, it was also the day that Celtics forward Jack Nichols left us in 1992. Born in 1926, Nichols attended both the University of Washington and the University of Southern California before being drafted by the now-defunct Washington Capitols.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 20: A view of the Boston Celtics Championship Banners at TD Garden on April 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
After stints there and with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks/Milwaukee (now, Atlanta) Hawks, Nichols reunited with former Capitols coach Red Auerbach on the Celtics. He averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game over the five seasons he played for Boston before retiring.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Bagley re-signs; most rebs vs Pistons; Nichols passes