On this day in Boston Celtics history, big man and future Celtic Kelly Olynyk would be born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1991, later moving west to Kamloops, British Columbia when he was in seventh grade.
Olynyk played his college ball at Gonzaga and was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft before being immediately dealt to the Celtics. Olynyk would make the 2013-14 All-Rookie team and would play for Boston for four seasons over which he averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
The Canadian big man would leave the Celtics in free agency for the Miami Heat in the summer of 2017.
It is also the birthday of former Boston guard Gabe Pruitt, who was born on this day in 1986 in Los Angeles, California.
Pruitt played at the NCAA level at USC and was drafted by the Celtics as the 32nd overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
The former Trojan spend most of his rookie season with Boston’s D League (the name of the G League in those years) affiliate at that time, the Utah Flash, but would get some run with the team in the 2008-09 season before being waived over the summer.
The Californian native logged 2 points, 0.8 rebounds, and as many assists per game over his two-season career with the Celtics.
THROWBACK THURSDAY- Fri Dec 21, 1962- Tom Heinsohn and Bob Cousy and Jack Foley @CelticsCSN @celtics @celticsvoice pic.twitter.com/bns1s6yqi7
— Peter J. Wiggins (@pjwiggs275) December 22, 2016
Those two share their birthday with forward Jack Foley, who came into this world in 1939 in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Holy Cross alum was picked up by the Celtics 18th overall in the 1962 NBA draft and played 5 games for Boston in the 1962-63 season before being dealt to the New York Knicks in January of 1963.
He averaged 6.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while with the team.
Dan Akroyd Celtic Pride Signed Autographed Spalding Basketball RARE https://t.co/mCDIR5tDjh pic.twitter.com/WnNI3zfIM1
— Sports Autographs (@SportsAutograp1) January 31, 2017
Finally, it is also the release date of the film Celtic Pride, which was released today in 1996.
Despite a star-studded cast featuring Dan Aykroyd, Damon Wayans, and Daniel Stern with cameos by Larry Bird, Deion Sanders, and Marv Albert, the film did poorly and has been panned by critics for its questionable humor.
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