Tommy Heinsohn Wiki – Biography
Tommy Heinsohn was an American professional basketball player, has died. 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 has been regarded as one of the most iconic and charismatic Celtics figures throughout the franchise’s history, known for his loyalty to the team and its traditions.
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Heinsohn was a standout at St. Michael’s High School in nearby Union City. He accepted a scholarship to Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and became the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,789 points, an average of 22.1 points per game. During his senior year, Heinsohn scored a school record 51 points in a game against Boston College.
Tommy Heinsohn Age
Tommy Heinsohn has died at the age of 86-years-old.
Career
Heinsohn was an “active participant in each of the Celtics’ 17 World Championships,” the team said in a statement Tuesday, calling his legacy “extraordinary and singular.”
The athlete won Rookie of the Year in 1957 and was named to six All-Star teams during his playing career from 1956-1965. He won eight NBC Championships and was the Boston team’s lead scorer for half of those title runs.
In 1969, Heinsohn was named head coach and went on to lead the Celtics to World Championships in 1974 and 1976. In 1973, he was named Coach of the Year. His number, 15, was retired by the team in 1965.
Heinsohn was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame twice: first in 1986 as a player and in 2015 as a coach. Only three other people have been inducted twice: John Wooden, Lenny Wilkens and Heinsohn’s former teammate Bill Sharman.
“For all of his accomplishments as a player, coach, and broadcaster, it is Tommy’s rich personality that defined the man,” the Celtics’ statement said, describing Heinsohn as “a loving father, grandfather, and husband.”
“A talented painter and a lively golf partner. Unofficial mentor to decades of Celtics coaches and players. A frequent constructive critic of referees. Originator of the most ‘Celtic stat’ of them all, The Tommy Point. And a boundless love for all things Boston Celtics, a passion which he shared with fans over 64 years,” the statement continued.
“We take this time to celebrate his life and legacy, and to share in the sorrow of his passing with his family, friends, and fans,” the team’s statement concluded. “As long as there are the Boston Celtics, Tommy’s spirit will remain alive.”
A statement from Wyc Grousbeck, Steve Pagliuca and the Boston Celtics ownership group called Heinsohn’s death a “devastating loss.”
“Tommy was the ultimate Celtic,” the joint statement said. “For the past 18 years, our ownership group has relied hugely on Tommy’s advice and insights and have reveled in his hundreds of stories about Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, and how the Celtics became a dynasty. He will be remembered forever.”
Cause of Death
A basketball legend has died.
Longtime Celtics player, coach and broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn died on Tuesday. He was 86. The cause of death was unknown.
