Bob Cousy
“The Celtics' first modern point guard. Six titles, then a long life telling the truth.”
Robert Joseph Cousy, the son of French immigrants, grew up in New York speaking French before English and starred at Holy Cross. The Boston Celtics acquired him by chance in 1950 after his name was drawn from a hat. He became a national star when he led the NBA in assists for the first time and dazzled crowds with his ball-handling wizardry.
French-Speaking New Yorker
Bob Cousy was born in New York City in 1928 to French immigrant parents and spoke French before English. He became a college star at Holy Cross. In 1950 the Celtics landed him almost by accident when his name was drawn from a hat to settle a dispersal of a defunct team's players.
Houdini of the Hardwood
Cousy revolutionized the point guard position with flashy passing and ball-handling that thrilled fans. He led the NBA in assists eight straight seasons and won the 1957 MVP award. Paired with Bill Russell, he helped build the Celtics dynasty of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Enduring Legend
Cousy retired in 1963 with six championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. He was later honored among the NBA's 50 Greatest and 75th Anniversary players. As of 2026 he remains alive, one of the last surviving links to the league's founding era.
Career Timeline
- 1928Born in New York to French immigrant parents.
- 1947Holy Cross. National title.
- 1950Boston, by trade.
- 1957MVP. First championship with Russell incoming.
- 1963Retires still an All-Star.
- 2013Missie dies. The later honesty begins in public.
Biggest Hits
- He joined the Celtics only because his name was literally drawn from a hat after a team folded and its players were dispersed.
- Nicknamed the 'Houdini of the Hardwood,' he popularized the behind-the-back dribble and no-look pass in the early NBA.
Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons