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Celtics No. 7 legacy comes full circle with Bryant and Brown.
Summary
Emmette Bryant, 88, met current Celtics star Jaylen Brown in Chicago, linking two championship eras through the shared No. 7 jersey. Bryant played for Boston from 1968–70 and won the 1969 NBA championship with Bill Russell.
Content
Former Boston Celtics guard Emmette Bryant met current Celtics star Jaylen Brown last weekend in Chicago, linking two championship eras through the shared No. 7 jersey. Bryant is 88 and Brown is 29; Brown has worn No. 7 since 2016. Bryant played for Boston from 1968 to 1970 and was part of the 1969 Celtics title team under Bill Russell. The meeting was arranged with help from Bryant’s family, the Celtics organization and Brown’s representatives.
Key facts:
- The meeting took place last weekend in Chicago between Emmette Bryant and Jaylen Brown.
- At least 20 players have worn No. 7 for the Celtics, and 15 of them have been Black, including Tiny Archibald, Kenny Anderson, Emmette Bryant and Dee Brown.
- Bryant played eight NBA seasons, including Boston from 1968–70, and scored 20 points in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals.
- According to Basketball-Reference, Bryant’s career totals include 3,722 points, 1,522 rebounds and 1,700 assists.
- Bryant won the 1969 title with Bill Russell, later coached as an assistant with Russell in Seattle, worked in community and state services, and is active with the National Retired Players Association and several halls of fame.
Summary:
The meeting highlighted continuity in the Celtics' history and underscored Bryant's role as a trailblazer who remained involved in community and retired-players activities. Undetermined at this time.
