On this day in Boston Celtics history, Cornelius “Connie” Leo Simmons was born in 1925 in Newark, New Jersey. Simmons did not play college basketball before entering the NBA; instead, he jumped directly from Flushing High School in New York City to the Celtics during Boston’s first season in 1946-47.
This season also marked the birth of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the precursor league to the NBA, of which Boston was one of the founding teams. Simmons played two seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the now-defunct Baltimore Bullets midway through the 1947-48 season.
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The Newark native averaged 9.4 points per game while playing in Boston.
Birthday
It’s also the birthday of former Boston big man Brady Walker, who was born in 1921 in Provo, Utah. Walker played at Brigham Young University before being drafted by the now-defunct Providence Steamrollers in the 1948 BAA draft. He was released from the Providence Steam Rollers in a disbandment draft in 1949 after the team closed. Walker played two seasons with the Celtics between that year and 1950 when he was traded to the (defunct) Bullets.
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 20: Watch the Boston Celtics Championship Banner at TD Garden on April 20, 2025 in Boston, MA. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The three share a birthday with forward John Janisch, who was born in Indiana in 1920 (his city of birth is unknown). A native of Valparaiso, Janish joined the (now defunct) Detroit Falcons in his first season in the BAA and was drafted by Boston in the 1947 Dispersion Draft. He played only three games for the Celtics, averaging just one point per game during that time.
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Finally, today is also the anniversary of forward Cody Clark’s debut with the team in 2016.
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 17: Confetti covers the Boston Celtics logo during Boston’s 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Notice to User: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photo, User agrees to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The game came in a 103-98 road loss to the Indiana Pacers, and the University of Arkansas alumnus had three points and a rebound in just over three minutes of playing time. It was his first game in the NBA, and it was a solid, if unremarkable, performance.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Simmons, Walker, Janish, Parker born; Clark debuts