Tom Heinsohn

Tom Heinsohn

Heinsohn in 1970
Personal information
Born	(1934-08-26)August 26, 1934 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	November 9, 2020(2020-11-09) (aged 86) Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school	Saint Michael's (Union City, New Jersey)
College	Holy Cross (1953–1956)
NBA draft	1956: territorial pick
Selected by the Boston Celtics
Playing career	1956–1965
Position	Power forward
Number	15
Coaching career	1969–1978
Career history
As player:
1956–1965	Boston Celtics
As coach:
1969–1978	Boston Celtics
Career highlights and awards
As player: 8× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1965) 6× NBA All-Star (1957, 1961–1965) 4× All-NBA Second Team (1961–1964) NBA Rookie of the Year (1957) No. 15 retired by Boston Celtics Consensus first-team All-American (1956) Second-team All-American – Collier's (1955) Third-team All-American – AP, UPI, NEA (1955) No. 24 retired by Holy Cross Crusaders As coach: 2× NBA champion (1974, 1976) NBA Coach of the Year (1973) 4× NBA All-Star Game head coach (1972–1974, 1976) Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)
Career statistics
Points	12,194 (18.6 ppg)
Rebounds	5,749 (8.8 rpg)
Assists	1,318 (2.0 apg)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
Basketball Hall of Fame as coach
College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006

Thomas William Heinsohn (August 26, 1934 – November 9, 2020) was an American professional basketball player, coach, and broadcaster. He was associated with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for six decades as a player, coach and broadcaster. He played for the Celtics from 1956 to 1965, and also coached the team from 1969 to 1978. He spent over 30 years as the color commentator for the Celtics' local broadcasts alongside play-by-play commentator Mike Gorman. He is regarded as one of the most iconic Celtics figures in the franchise's history, known during his lifetime for his charisma and loyalty to the team and its traditions. From this, he earned the nickname "Mr. Celtic".

Heinsohn was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions as a player. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for his success as a head coach. He also helped form the NBA Players Association. Heinsohn was the only person to have the distinction of being involved in an official team capacity in each of the Celtics' 17 championships, as well as each of their first 21 NBA Finals appearances.