The Forgotten Celtic: Bud Olsen’s Short but Memorable No. 29 Chapter
When you think of the Boston Celtics, your mind probably jumps straight to the legends — Bill Russell’s dominating presence in the paint, Larry Bird’s effortless shooting touch, Paul Pierce’s clutch heroics, or even the new generation’s electrifying playmakers. But the Celtics’ history isn’t just about the Hall of Famers and the championship banners. Sometimes, the team’s story is woven together by smaller, quieter threads — short stints, obscure jersey numbers, and players who left a brief but still interesting mark.
One of those threads belongs to Bud Olsen, a forward who suited up for Boston in the late ‘60s and wore the rarely seen No. 29. His time with the team? A quick seven-game run. His impact on the stat sheet? Just two points and two rebounds a night. But as with most players who’ve stepped onto an NBA court, there’s more to his story than the numbers suggest.
Boston’s Jersey Number Legacy
Before diving deep into Olsen’s journey, let’s zoom out and look at the Celtics’ history with jersey numbers. Since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America — the league that would later evolve into today’s NBA — Boston has seen players wear 68 different jersey numbers. That’s not even counting three oddball numbers that don’t fall into the usual sequence.
Over 500 players have suited up for Boston since day one, each bringing their own style, skill set, and, of course, number to the parquet. Today, 25 of those jerseys are retired, hanging high in the rafters of TD Garden, each a silent tribute to the legends who once made Boston their basketball home.
Celtics Wire has been taking fans on a journey through this rich jersey-number history — player by player, digit by digit. And somewhere in that wide-ranging list, between the more iconic numbers, you find No. 29 — a number only four players have ever worn.
A Brief but Notable Celtic: Bud Olsen
Bud Olsen wasn’t the kind of player who lit up scoreboards or had crowds chanting his name in every arena. But he earned his place in NBA history through determination and persistence — traits that often go overlooked in the flashy highlight reels of the sport.
Born in Hobart, Indiana, Olsen made a name for himself at the University of Louisville, where he built the foundation for his professional career. His solid play and strong forward presence caught the eye of NBA scouts, and in the 1962 NBA Draft, he was taken 15th overall by the Cincinnati Royals — the team now known as the Sacramento Kings.
The NBA Journey Before Boston
Before finding his way to the Celtics, Olsen’s career path wound through a few different cities and jerseys. After the Royals, he also played for the San Francisco Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors) and later the Seattle SuperSonics.
But the NBA can be a brutal business, and roster spots are never guaranteed. In 1968, the Sonics let Olsen go, and Boston claimed him off waivers. Just like that, he was wearing Celtic green and stepping onto the parquet floor — a dream that many players have but few realize.
Seven Games, One Jersey Number
Olsen’s time in Boston was as quick as it was unheralded — just seven games before the team cut him loose. But during that short stint, he became part of Celtics history by joining the tiny fraternity of players who’ve worn jersey No. 29.
His averages? 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Not exactly headline-grabbing, but every minute in the NBA is earned, and even brief moments on the floor in Celtics green carry weight in the franchise’s long history.
Why These Stories Matter
Now, you might be wondering — why even bother remembering a player with a single-digit game count in Boston? The answer lies in understanding the fabric of sports history. The Celtics’ story isn’t just about championships and MVPs. It’s also about the players who came and went quickly, the ones who filled gaps in rosters, and the ones who wore the less glamorous numbers.
Each player, no matter how brief their stay, adds to the legacy of the team. Olsen’s No. 29 might not hang in the rafters, but it still has a place in the Celtics’ numerical history — a reminder that even fleeting contributions matter.
Fun Facts & Nuggets from Celtics Jersey History
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68 different jersey numbers have been worn since the team’s founding.
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Only four players have ever worn No. 29 in Boston.
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The Celtics have retired 25 numbers, honoring legends from Russell to Pierce.
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Olsen’s entire Celtics career lasted seven games in 1968.
Olsen’s Career Beyond the Stats
While his Boston chapter was short, Olsen’s professional career stretched beyond those green-and-white days. He was part of the early days of multiple franchises, experiencing the league during a time when it was still finding its footing as a major American sport. Players like Olsen often faced tough travel schedules, smaller paychecks compared to today’s stars, and the constant challenge of proving themselves to keep their spot on a roster.
In that sense, Olsen’s career mirrors that of many players of his era — journeymen who loved the game enough to keep chasing opportunities, even when the odds weren’t in their favor.
The Takeaway
When you walk through Celtics history, you’ll pass through eras defined by greatness, dynasties, and unforgettable moments. But if you look closely, you’ll also find the smaller, quieter stories — the ones about players like Bud Olsen, who wore their number proudly, even if only for a handful of games.
The Celtics’ legacy isn’t just a collection of championship rings and retired jerseys. It’s also a patchwork of contributions from hundreds of players, each leaving behind a small piece of the team’s story. And somewhere in that patchwork, you’ll find No. 29 — worn briefly, but forever recorded in the team’s history books.
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