Today in Boston Celtics history: Artis Gilmore born, Bob Donham dies, Ime Udoka scandal breaks

Today in Boston Celtics history, Artis Gilmore was born in the small southern town of Chipley, Florida in 1949. Gilmore led Jacksonville to the NCAA title contest vs. UCLA in 1970. He began his pro career in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Kentucky Colonels.

The former Bruin was picked up by the Chicago Bulls with the first overall pick of the ABA dispersal draft in 1976, which was held after the ABA’s merger with the NBA spelled the end of multiple teams, including the Colonels. He played stints with the Bulls and San Antonio Spurs before joining the Celtics as a free agent in 1988 ahead of his final season.

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Gilmore played in 47 games for Boston in the 1988-89 season, averaging 3.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Udoka scandal breaks

Today is also the date that the scandal that would lead to Celtics head coach Ime Udoka and Boston parting ways broke in the news in 2022.

Udoka would eventually agree to part ways with the Celtics after a lengthy suspension handed down by the team’s front office for having an inappropriate workplace relationship with another team employee, with current Boston coach Joe Mazzulla taking over in the role at the start of the regular season several weeks later.

Rest in Peace

Finally, it is also the date of former Celtics center Bob Donham’s passing in 1983. Born in Hammond, Indiana, in 1926, Donham was drafted out of Ohio State by the Celtics in the 1950 NBA Draft.

He played four seasons with the Celtics — the whole of his NBA career — and he averaged 6.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Gilmore born, Donham dies, Udoka scandal breaks