11-05-2025
Boston Celtics jersey history No. 19 - Arnie Risen (1955-58)
Boston Celtics jersey history No. 19 - Arnie Risen (1955-58)
The Boston Celtics have had players suiting up in a total of 68 different jersey numbers (and have three others not part of any numerical series) since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- the league that would become today's NBA), worn by well over 500 players in the course of Celtics history.
To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Celtics Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.
With 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Celtics to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.
And for today's article, we will continue with the fourth of six people to wear the No. 19 jersey, Boston big man alum Arnie Risen. After ending his college career at Ohio State, Risen joined (then) Rochester Royals (now, Sacramento Kings) in 1948.
The Hall of Fame Lexington, Kentucky native would play the first seven seasons of his pro career with the Royals before his contract was bought by Boston in 1955, winning a title with the team in a reserve role in 1957 before retiring in 1958.
During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Risen wore only jersey No. 19 and put up 7.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
