The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks on Monday to win their 18th NBA championship, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers and becoming the franchise with the most titles of all time.
Boston was led by the elite duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum all season, and the tough play of veteran guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White helped limit the damage from Dallas superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. That, plus the strong play of the great Kristaps Porzingis when he was healthy, finally led to a long-awaited title for Boston, which had not won since 2008.
Porzingis is the only Boston player not to come from the college basketball ranks, and all the others come from a variety of different programs. Some were unique talents at traditionally dominant basketball schools, some were four-year kids, two were transfers and one came from the mid-range.
Here’s a look at Boston’s roster and coach Joe Mazzulla, where they went to school and how they performed at the college level before helping form Boston’s 18th team:
Gary A. Vasquez-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Syracuse (2017-2019)
Conference: CAC
University statistics: 13.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals
John Hefti-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: California (2015-16)
Conference: Pac-12 (now ACC)
University statistics: 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Orlando Ramirez-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Alabama (2021-22)
Conference: SECOND
University statistics: 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals
Nell Redmond-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Marquette (2016-2019) and Virginia (2019-2021)
Conference: CAC
University statistics: 16 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists in Virginia
(Photo by Christian Petersen//Keynote USA/Getty Images)
School: UCLA (2008-09)
Conference: Pac-12 (now Big Ten)
University statistics: 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals
Jason Parkhurst-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Florida (2004-2007)
Conference: SECOND
University statistics: 10.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.7 assists
Distribution: Nashville
School: Vanderbilt (2013-2017)
Conference: SECOND
University statistics: 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.1 assists
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School: Kansas (2014-2018)
Conference: 12 big
University statistics: 8.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Adam Cairns-The Shipment of Columbus
School: Rice (2018-2020) and USC (2020-2023)
Conference: Pac-12 (now Big Ten)
University statistics: 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists at USC
Soobum Im-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Oregon (2016-2020)
Conference: Pac-12 (now Big Ten)
University statistics: 13.5 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals
Jordan Prather-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Utah State (2018-2021)
Conference: West Mountain
University statistics: 13.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.0 assists
Trevor Ruszkowski-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Tennessee (2020-21)
Conference: SECOND
University statistics: 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals
Bob Donnan-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Duke (2016-17)
Conference: CAC
University statistics: 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Mike Carter-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Michigan State (2017-2020)
Conference: Big Ten
University statistics: 8.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.5 blocks
Reese Strickland-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Arkansas (2022-23)
Conference: SECOND
University statistics: 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals
Isaiah J. Downing-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: Colorado (2016-17)
Conference: Pac-12 (now Big 12)
University statistics: 18.1 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.2 steals
Kim Klement-KeynoteUSA Sports
School: West Virginia (2006-2011)
Conference: Big East (now Big 12)
University statistics: 4.8 points, 2.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds
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