![]() Heinsohn in 1970 | |
Personal information | |
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Born | Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | August 26, 1934
Died | November 9, 2020 Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. | (aged 86)
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:
As coach:
| |
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' first 17 championships, as well as each of their first 21 NBA Finals appearances.