Joe Mazzulla facts for kids
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Mazzulla with the Boston Celtics in 2024
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| Boston Celtics | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | June 30, 1988 Johnston, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| High school | Bishop Hendricken (Warwick, Rhode Island) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | West Virginia (2006–2011) |
| NBA Draft | 2011 / Undrafted |
| Coaching career | 2011–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 2011–2013 | Glenville State (assistant) |
| 2013–2016 | Fairmont State (assistant) |
| 2016–2017 | Maine Red Claws (assistant) |
| 2017–2019 | Fairmont State |
| 2019–2022 | Boston Celtics (assistant) |
| 2022–2023 | Boston Celtics (interim head coach) |
| 2023–present | Boston Celtics |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Joseph "Joe" Mazzulla (born June 30, 1988) is a professional basketball coach from the United States. He is currently the head coach for the Boston Celtics, a famous team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before becoming a coach, he played college basketball as a point guard for West Virginia University.
Mazzulla joined the Celtics as an assistant coach in 2019. He became the interim (temporary) head coach before the 2022–23 season. In February 2023, he was officially named the head coach. In his second season, Mazzulla led the Celtics to an amazing 64 wins, which was the best record in the league. He then guided them to an NBA championship. He is one of the youngest head coaches to win the NBA Finals since Bill Russell did it in 1969.
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Early Life and High School Basketball
Joseph Mazzulla was born in Johnston, Rhode Island on June 30, 1988. He went to Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island. There, he became a top player and was named to the all-state first team. Mazzulla helped his high school team win three state championships. His third championship win came during his senior year with a thrilling last-second shot!
College Basketball Career
Mazzulla played college basketball for West Virginia University. As a freshman, he helped his team win the 2007 National Invitation Tournament. This was a big achievement under coach John Beilein.
In the 2008 NCAA tournament, Mazzulla had a fantastic game against Duke. He scored 13 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and made eight assists in a surprising win. He had to take a year off during the 2008–09 season because of a shoulder injury. He wasn't sure if he would play again, but he worked hard and had surgery to make a comeback.
During this time, Mazzulla received an important phone call from Jerry West, a legendary basketball player. West encouraged Mazzulla to focus on his potential and not waste his talents. Mazzulla says this call helped him get back on the right track.
As a junior, Mazzulla became a team captain. He helped West Virginia reach the 2010 Final Four, which is a huge event in college basketball. They lost to Duke in that game. Before the Final Four, he scored a career-high 17 points in a big win against Kentucky. In his senior year, Mazzulla averaged 7.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Overall, he scored 700 points and made 340 assists during his college career.
Coaching Journey
Starting in College Coaching
After college, Mazzulla decided to become a coach. He joined Glenville State as an assistant coach in 2011. In 2013, he moved to Fairmont State as an assistant coach. For one season (2016–17), Mazzulla also worked as an assistant for the Maine Red Claws in the NBA G League.
In March 2017, Mazzulla became the head coach of Fairmont State. In his second season, he led the team to a great 22–9 record. They even made it to the 2019 NCAA Division II tournament.
Joining the Boston Celtics
Assistant Coach Role
On June 24, 2019, Mazzulla was hired as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. This was a big step up to the NBA. In 2022, he even interviewed for a head coaching job with the Utah Jazz.
Becoming Head Coach
First Season (2022–23)
On September 22, 2022, just before the season started, Mazzulla was named the interim head coach for the Celtics. This happened because the previous coach, Ime Udoka, was suspended. Mazzulla quickly showed his coaching skills. By December 1, he was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month. The Celtics had an amazing start with 18 wins and only 4 losses. In January 2023, he was chosen to be the head coach for Team Giannis at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
On February 16, 2023, the Celtics officially made Mazzulla their 19th head coach. They also gave him a new contract. At the NBA All-Star break, he had led the team to a league-best 42–17 record. He was even a finalist for NBA Head Coach of the Year. The Celtics finished the season strong with 57 wins and 25 losses. They made it to the Eastern Conference Finals but lost to the Miami Heat in a close seven-game series.
Winning the NBA Championship (2023–24)
Mazzulla continued as head coach for the 2023–24 season. The team's President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens, praised him as a "terrific leader."
During this season, Mazzulla won two more Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards. The Celtics had an incredible season with 64 wins and only 18 losses. This was their first time winning over 60 games since 2009. They earned the top spot in the entire NBA, giving them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Celtics dominated the playoffs, beating the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. They then swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. At 35 years old, Mazzulla became the youngest head coach to reach the NBA Finals since Bill Russell in 1969. The Celtics went on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals, earning Mazzulla his first NBA championship! He also became the youngest head coach to win the NBA Finals in over 50 years.
Personal Life
Joe Mazzulla's father, Dan, was also a basketball player and coach. He passed away in 2020. Joe's mother is Black. Joe has a younger brother named Justin, who also played college basketball. Justin now works as an assistant video coordinator for the Utah Jazz.
Joe Mazzulla married Camai Roberson in 2014. They met in 2011 when he was coaching at Glenville State University. They have a son named Emmanuel, and Joe also has a stepson named Michael. Mazzulla is a very religious person and a devoted Catholic. He often says that his identity comes from his "faith" and "purpose."
Mazzulla is a big fan of the English soccer club Manchester City. He has even become friends with their manager, Pep Guardiola.
Images for kids
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Mazzulla with the Boston Celtics in 2024
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Mazzulla playing at Bishop Hendricken High School in 2005
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Mazzulla in 2022
See also
In Spanish: Joe Mazzulla para niños
