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The cause of death was unknown.
He was drafted by the Celtics in 1956, and he won the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 1956-57 season while helping to lead the team to the final. In the decisive 7th game for the series, Heinsohn scored 37 points and 23 rebounds to help the franchise win their first championship.
He was selected to six All-Star teams and won eight championships as a player with the Celtics, the team said. He led the team by scoring in four of the title races.
Heinsohn retired in 1965 and his No.15 was retired by the Celtics that year. He ended his career with 12,194 points and 5,749 rebounds.
“It’s a devastating loss,” Celtics owners said in a statement. “Tommy was the ultimate Celtic. Over the past 18 years, our ownership group has relied heavily on Tommy’s advice and ideas and reveled in his hundreds of stories about Red Auerbach, Bill Russell and how the Celtics became a dynasty. He will be remembered forever. “
In 1969 Heinsohn was appointed head coach of the Celtics and he held that position until 1978. He won the coach of the year in 1973, and under his leadership the Celtics added two more championship banners. in 1974 and 1976. He completed his training. career with a record of 427-263, which only trails Red Auerbach for most wins in franchise history.
“Celtics games won’t be the same without Tommy, and those who share his fervor for basketball will miss him dearly,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to Tommy’s family, friends and the Celtics organization.”
Heinsohn became the color commentator for Celtics TV shows in 1981, partnering with Mike Gorman to form a partnership that would last for decades.
Heinsohn was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1986 and as a coach in 2015. He is one of only four inductees to the Hall of Fame as a player and coach, joining Bill Sharman , John Wooden and Lenny Wilkens on this list.
“For all of his accomplishments as a player, coach and broadcaster, it was Tommy’s rich personality that defined the man,” the team said in a statement.
“A loving father, grandfather and husband. A talented painter and dynamic golf partner. Unofficial mentor of decades of Celtics coaches and players. Frequent constructive criticism of umpires. Creator of the most” statistic. Celtic “of all, The Tommy Point. And a boundless love for all things Boston Celtics, a passion he had shared with fans for 64 years.”
CNN’s David Close contributed to this report.
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