On this day in Boston Celtics history, big man Travis Knight was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1974. Knight played his college ball with the University of Connecticut Huskies and was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 29th pick of the 1996 NBA draft.
For whatever reason, the Bulls balked at signing Knight to the three-year deal required for a first-round pick, and Chicago renounced his rights less than a month later. He was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers, and he made the NBA All-Rookie second team in his inaugural season in the league.
Buy Celtics TicketsA free agent after his first season, Knight signed a seven-year, $22 million deal with the Celtics under head coach and team president Rick Pitino.
Happy birthday Travis Knight! #Celtics pic.twitter.com/a1dchJChoa
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) September 13, 2020
The Utahn uttered the famous line “I really have mixed emotions; I should be elated right now, but I’m not. I feel so much loyalty (to the Lakers)” which did not do Knight any favors with the fans of his new team.
Knight would get his wish. He was dealt back to Los Angeles for Tony Battie in 1999, and he won a title in 2000.
The former Husky averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while a Celtic.
It was also on this date in 1937 that former Celtics forward Gene Guarilia was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania.
Guarilia was drafted out of George Washington with the 14th pick of the 1959 NBA draft and played four seasons for Boston, winning a title in each of those seasons between 1960 and 1963.
He averaged 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game over that stretch.
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