Things have come full circle for NBA veteran Paul Pierce and he is returning “home” to finish his career with the team he started with and the franchise he will be forever associated with.
The Boston Celtics signed Paul Pierce Monday so that he could retire as a member of the organization.
Pierce, a 10-time NBA All-Star, spent the first 15 years of his career with Boston and won an NBA title with the team in 2008.
During the announcement of Pierce’s signing and retirement plans, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said the Pierce’s #34 jersey will be hanging from the rafters in the future.
“We’re honored that Paul has chosen to retire as a Celtic. He is among the very best Celtics — a champion on and off the court,” Grousbeck said in a release. “We congratulate Paul on a Hall of Fame career, and look forward to seeing his number raised to the rafters of TD Garden.”
Pierce has played for the Celtics, the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards.
Boston drafted Pierce, 10th overall, in the 1998 NBA Draft.
“It’s an honor to have this opportunity to once again call myself a Boston Celtic,” Pierce said in the release.
“The organization and city took me in and made me one of their own, and I couldn’t imagine ending my career any other way. I’m a Celtic for life.”