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Bob Cousy receives a 2024 championship ring from the Celtics

By Khari A. Thompson

Bob Cousy receives a 2024 championship ring from the Celtics

Celtics legend Bob Cousy received a 2024 championship ring from the franchise at his Worcester home on Monday, according to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

The 96-year-old Cousy has witnessed all 18 of the Celtics' championships. He won the first six during his playing career.

He is believed to be the oldest living NBA player, according to Celtics vice president of media and alumni relations Jeff Twiss, who made the trip to Cousy's home to deliver the ring.

Cousy said the ring was "amazing" and that he wished the late Red Auerbach were there to see it with him.

"It kind of closes the circle in my relationship with the Celtics over the years," he said.

Cousy attended the Celtics' banner-raising celebration on opening night. He said being there meant a lot to him.

"This is a big deal to me. It's a meaningful night," Cousy said, at the time according to Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe. "These ceremonies were nothing like this when we were winning them in the '50s and '60s. We'd raise the banner by ourselves in an empty Garden before the game. There was no fuss about it at all."

During last year's playoff run, before the Celtics dispatched Dallas in five games, Cousy told Shaughnessy just how badly he wanted to see the Celtics win that 18th title.

"I'm 95 [expletive] years old with one foot in the grave and I can barely move," Cousy said. "I know I'm in overtime. So everything in your life becomes more meaningful. And one of the last things I want to be able to see is for the Celtics to hang up banner No. 18."

The Celtics clinched the championship at TD Garden on June 17th. It broke the tie between the Celtics and Lakers for most championships.

Cousy is the last living member of the Celtics' first championship team.

"I think Bob was really the one who captured the imagination," Twiss said, "the fascination and the love of the game for a lot of kids, adults and older people in 1950, and it's still held true today."

The 13-time All-Star marveled at how heavy and flashy the ring was. There are 18 emerald-cut diamonds on the outer bezel alone, one for every championship. It could blind a defender, Cousy said.

It was a touching moment for the aging superstar.

"I'm the luckiest SOB on the planet, and there's plenty of evidence to back that up," Cousy said.

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