Tom Heinsohn facts for kids
Heinsohn in 2008 during the Celtics parade
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 26, 1934 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 2020 (aged 86) Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| High school | Saint Michael's (Union City, New Jersey) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 218 lb (99 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Holy Cross (1953–1956) |
| NBA Draft | 1956 / Pick: Territorial Pick |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Pro career | 1956–1965 |
| 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:
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 12,194 (18.6 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 5,749 (8.8 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,318 (2.0 apg) |
Thomas William Heinsohn (August 26, 1934 – November 9, 2020) was a famous American basketball player. He was a big part of the Boston Celtics team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 60 years! He was a player, a coach, and even a TV announcer for them.
He played for the Celtics from 1956 to 1965. Then, he coached the team from 1969 to 1978. After that, he spent over 30 years as a TV commentator for Celtics games. He worked with Mike Gorman for a long time. People called him "Mr. Celtic" because he was so loyal to the team.
Tom Heinsohn is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice. Once for being an amazing player, and again for being a successful coach. He also helped start the NBA Players Association, which is like a union for basketball players. He was the only person to be involved in all of the Celtics' first 17 championships. He was also there for their first 21 NBA Finals appearances.
Contents
Tom Heinsohn's Amazing Basketball Journey
Early Life and College
Tom Heinsohn was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was a great player at St. Michael's High School. He then got a scholarship to Holy Cross in Massachusetts.
At Holy Cross, he became the school's top scorer ever. He scored 1,789 points, averaging 22.1 points per game. In his last year, he scored a school record 51 points in one game. He also averaged 27.4 points and 21.1 rebounds per game that season.
Playing for the Celtics
In 1956, the Boston Celtics chose Heinsohn in the NBA draft. In his very first season, he played in the 1957 NBA All-Star Game. He was also named the NBA Rookie of the Year, even beating his teammate Bill Russell.
Heinsohn won his first championship ring in his rookie year. He scored 37 points and got 23 rebounds in the final game! He was part of a Celtics team that won eight NBA titles in nine years. This included seven championships in a row from 1959 to 1965. Only his teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones won more rings as players. Heinsohn played in the NBA Finals every season of his nine-year career. He had to retire after nine seasons because of a foot injury.
During his playing career, Heinsohn was chosen for six All-Star teams. The Celtics retired his number 15 jersey in 1965. This means no other Celtics player can wear that number.
Off the court, Heinsohn was important for the NBA Players Association. He was the second president of the group. He helped the league agree to a pension plan for players. This happened after players, led by Heinsohn, threatened to strike during the 1964 All-Star game.
Coaching Success
Heinsohn became the Celtics' head coach in the 1969–70 season. He led the team to a fantastic 68–14 record in the 1972–73 season. He was named Coach of the Year that season.
The next season, Heinsohn and the Celtics won the NBA championship in 1974. They won another title in 1976. He had a great coaching record of 427 wins and 263 losses.
In 2015, Heinsohn was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for a second time. This time, it was for his success as a coach. He is one of only four people to be in the Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
Life After Playing and Coaching
Heinsohn started his broadcasting career in 1966. He called Celtics games on TV. From 1981, he joined Mike Gorman as a color commentator. They became one of the longest-running sports broadcasting teams ever.
On Celtics broadcasts, Heinsohn would give "Tommy Points" to players. These were for players who showed extra effort and hustle. He also had a "Tommy Award" for the best hustle play in each game. He was known for his humor and for questioning referees when he thought calls against the Celtics were wrong.
For a while in the 1980s, Heinsohn also called NBA playoff games for CBS. He even called four NBA Finals games. He also announced college basketball games for CBS.
Away from basketball, Heinsohn enjoyed painting and playing golf. He also ran a life insurance company. In 1988, he wrote a book about his life called "Give 'em the Hook."
His Final Years
Tom Heinsohn passed away at his home on November 9, 2020. He was 86 years old.
Awards and Honors
- 10-time NBA Champion (8 as a player, 2 as a coach)
- 1957 Rookie of the Year
- Six-time NBA All-Star
- 1973 Coach of the Year
- Two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (as a player in 1986, as a coach in 2015)
- Number 15 retired by the Boston Celtics
- Number 24 retired by Holy Cross
Images for kids
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Heinsohn playing for the Philadelphia Warriors, circa 1962
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Heisohn as Celtics' head coach in 1975
