The Boston Celtics will retire Paul Pierce’s No. 34 this February, the team announced Friday.
#ForeverACeltic pic.twitter.com/F13jHTL7Ut
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 18, 2017
Pierce, who spent 15 of his 19 seasons in the NBA with the Celtics, retired earlier this year. In July, Pierce signed a one-day contract with the Celtics to official retire in Boston after spending the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He also played one season each with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.
“I will always be grateful for the sacrifices Paul made to help the Celtics be great,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge in a press release. “His love for the game was contagious and his talents and hard work were legendary. He was one of the greatest players of his era.”
Pierce was originally drafted by the Celtics, 10th overall, in 1998. He helped lead the team to 10 playoff appearances and one NBA title, in 2008 when he also was named Finals MVP.
He averaged 21.8 points (44.7% FG, 37.0% 3-PT, 80.6% FT), 6.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 36.6 minutes in 1,102 regular-season games with the Celtics.
“The moment I was drafted by the Celtics, I knew I was joining one of the most historic organizations in the NBA,” Pierce said in a press release. “For 15 years, I played at the Garden, looking up at the jerseys of some of the most iconic players in the game – Russell, Bird, and Cousy. To now be recognized alongside those names is such an honour. I have always said I would be a Celtic for life, and now it is really coming true.”
Pierce’s number will be retired on Feb. 11 when the Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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