Birth of Celtics Legends: Lavelli, Sadowski, Sauldsberry

Early Celtics Draft History

Tony Lavelli arrived on the scene in 1926, born in Somerville, Massachusetts. After starring at Yale, he was taken fourth overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1949 Basketball Association of America draft. He saw action for just one campaign, appearing in 56 games before opting for free agency. Lavelli moved to the New York Knicks at season’s end and posted an 8.8‑point average, though rebound tracking was not yet part of the stats.

Ed Sadowski’s Brief Celtics Run

Ed Sadowski’s birthday also falls on this day, having been born in 1917 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Seton Hall product joined the BAA’s inaugural roster with the Toronto Huskies in 1946‑47 before a quick swap to the Cleveland Rebels. When Cleveland folded, the Celtics selected him in the dispersal draft and he logged 47 games during a single season. Sadowski recorded 19.4 points and 1.6 assists per contest, a line that predates modern rebound counts.

Woodrow Sauldsberry’s Championship Journey

Woodrow Sauldsberry entered the world in 1934 in Winnsboro, Louisiana. The Texas Southern alum was chosen 60th overall by the Philadelphia Warriors in the 1957 NBA draft. He spent time with the St. Louis Hawks, the Chicago Packers/Zephyrs, and later joined Boston after a couple of seasons away from the court. Sauldsberry earned a 1966 championship ring as a reserve, averaging 4.4 points and 3.6 blocks while backing up Bill Russell.

Celtics History in Photos

The Celtics’ recent championship run is captured in the image below, a scene that echoes the pride of past greats. This photo, taken at TD Garden, shows confetti celebrating Boston’s 106‑88 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals. The visual moment ties together the legacy of early players and the modern era of the franchise.

Honoring these three figures gives a glimpse into the Celtics’ early years, when the league was still finding its footing. Lavelli, Sadowski, and Sauldsberry each left their mark, however briefly, on a franchise that would later dominate the NBA. Their stories reflect the rapid evolution from the BAA to the NBA and the dispersal drafts that reshuffled rosters. Fans can look back at these early players as part of the foundation that supports today’s championship culture.