Kristaps Porzingis has now been officially introduced as the newest member of the Boston Celtics in an introductory press conference at the team's practice facility, Auerbach Center in Boston.
Kristaps Porzingis being introduced with the #Celtics. pic.twitter.com/bZpx2gv44Q
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) June 29, 2023
The 7-foot-3 Latvian held up a Celtics jersey bearing the number 8. The last Celtic player to wear number 8 did not even see action on the floor. Danilo Gallinari, part of the deal that sent Porzingis to Boston, tore his ACL last year while playing for Italy.
Kemba Walker, Jonas Jerebko, and Jeff Green are some notable players who have rocked the number in recent years.
Porzingis' usual number 6 has been retired by the Celtics in honor of Bill Russell, and it became retired in the whole league last year following the passing of the legendary center in July 2022.
However, Porzingis was still able to sport the number 6 last season, as well as other players such as LeBron James, DeAndre Jordan, and Alex Caruso after the NBA announced in a press release that players currently wearing No. 6 "will be grandfathered," meaning that they can still wear the number, but future players will not be able to sport it.
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Kristaps Porzingis Reveals How He Learned of Celtics Trade
The one-time All-Star was in his home country of Latvia as the transaction happened, and he had a big smile on his face upon learning the news.
Porzingis says he went to bed at 4 a.m. back home in Latvia last week, and then woke up the next morning as a Celtic. And he had a big smile on his face as he told that story.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 29, 2023
The 27-year-old added that the opportunity to play for a good team was an easy decision for him.
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