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Justin Quinn

On this day: Reggie Lewis dies; Brown, Rozier, Green, Crowder signed

On this day in Boston Celtics history, rising franchise star Reggie Lewis would die unexpectedly after collapsing on a basketball court at Brandeis University while working out in the offseason in 1993.

Lewis, who had previously been diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat after another on-court collapse during the prior season, passed away after attempts by local police to resuscitate the Northeastern product were not successful. The 22nd overall pick of the 1987 NBA draft for the Celtics, Lewis was widely seen as a critical part of Boston’s future, and the bridge to a successful future after the Larry Bird – Kevin McHale – Robert Parish era.

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Along with the loss of forward Len Bias in 1986, this was a major contributing cause to the team’s ‘wilderness era’ of mediocrity that would last more than a decade.

Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller (31) is defended by Boston Celtics guard Reggie Lewis (35) at Market Square Arena. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore native played six seasons for the Celtics before his passing, owning a career average of 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, and an All-Star nod in 1993.

His No. 35 jersey was retired by the team in 1995.

Apr 9, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) blocks a shot by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Josh Okogie (20) during the first half at TD Garden. Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

On this day in 2016, current Celtic Jaylen Brown signed a four-year, $21,404,269 rookie contract, which he would follow by inking a four-year, $107 million extension in 2019.

The Georgia native had been drafted third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Cal-Berkeley and continues to improve each season, making his first All-Star game in 2021.

Gerald Green, of the Boston Celtics, dunks the ball during the slam dunk contest at NBA Saturday Night, a part of NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. Green won the contest. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Ex-Celtic wing Gerald Green signed a one-year deal for $1,410,598 on the same day. It marked the start of his second stint with the team, the first being when he’d been drafted by the team directly out of high school in the 2005 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick.

Green put up 8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game over three seasons with the team and would leave the franchise in free agency the second time around.

May 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) blocks the shot of Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) in the third quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 116-89. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Former Celtics center Tyler Zeller signed a deal on the same day after having been traded to the team from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a salary dump to make space for the contract of LeBron James in 2014.

Zeller recorded a career average of 7.1 points, 4 boards, and an assist per game with Boston.

Oct 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Ben Bentil (50) drives to the basket as New York Knicks center Marshall Plumlee (40) defends during the second half at TD Garden.  Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Providence College product Ben Bentil signed a deal with the team that day as well but never suited up for the Celtics.

Instead, he would be waived by the team and would fail to latch on elsewhere. He is now playing overseas with Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL).

Apr 8, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) goes up for a shot against Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lamb (3) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 121-114. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Onetime Celtic forward Jae Crowder signed a deal today too, but it was inked a year earlier in 2015, a five-year deal for $35 million.

The Marquette product would play three seasons with Boston, averaging 12.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while with the team.

Apr 21, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier (12) goes in for a dunk while Chicago Bulls guard Anthony Morrow (11) defends during the second half in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

It was the same day ex-Celtic guard Terry Rozier inked a four-season, $8,769,710 rookie contract, drafted out of Louisville earlier that summer with the 16th overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft.

The Ohio native would put up 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while with Boston.

Oct 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (13) tries to steal the ball from Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) during the second half of the Boston Celtics’ 99-85 win over the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Celtic draftee RJ Hunter signed his rookie deal that day too — a two-year, $2,348,880 deal.

Hunter, drafted 28th overall in the 2015 NBA draft out of Georgia State, played 37 games with the Celtics over two stints. He averaged 3.1 points and 1.1 rebounds per game over that stretch.

Zoran Dragic of the Slovenian basketball team signs autographs for the fans who greeted the Slovenian basketball team players as they arrive at Ljubljana Airport from the Olympic qualifying tournament in Kaunas Slovenian basketball team arrived at Ljubljana Airport on Monday after qualifying for the summer Olympic games for the first time in history. (Sipa via AP Images)

It is also the date of guard Zoran Dragic being traded from the Miami Heat to Boston for a heavily protected draft asset.

The brother of Miami guard Goran Dragic, Zoran never suited up for the Celtics, waived by the team instead.

Boston Celtics’ Allan Ray (12) passes the ball as Milwaukee Bucks’ Lynn Greer (3) defends in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Friday, April 13, 2007. The Bucks won 104-102. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Former Celtics shooting guard Allan Ray was waived on this date in 2007 after playing one season with the team.

Ray recorded 6.2 points and 1.5 boards per game with the team that season, his sole in the NBA.

Portland Trail Blazers’ Maurice Lucas drives hard past Boston Celtics’ Marvin Barnes (27) and Chris Ford on his way for two points in the second period NBA action at the Boston Garden, Jan. 12, 1979. (AP Photo/Paul Benoit)

Finally, ex-Celtic forward Marvin Barnes was born on this day in 1952 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Traded to the team from the Buffalo Braves as part of the exchange of players occurring after the team’s owners also exchanged franchises in 1978, he would play just 38 games for Boston before being waived the following February.

He averaged 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game as a Celtic.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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