Boston Celtics wing Togo Palazzi has passed away according to a post from the team. The 90-year-old Celtics alum was part of the team in its early years of existence, playing for Boston for parts of three seasons before he was dealt to the (then) Syracuse Nationals (now, Philadelphia 76ers) for cash considerations in 1956.
A product of the nearby College of the Holy Cross — then a hotbed of NBA recruiting — Palazzi was picked up with the fifth overall pick of the 1954 NBA draft in the years before the team had become the juggernaut of the late 1950s and 1960s. A native of Union City, New Jersey who was born there in 1932, the former Boston wing was one of the ball club’s oldest surviving alumni.
The New Jersey native averaged 5.3 points and 2.9 points per game while with the Celtics in a reserve role. Rest in peace.
We are saddened by the news of the passing of Togo Palazzi and our thoughts are with his family.
Rest In Peace, Togo #ForeverGreen ☘️ pic.twitter.com/xBTOnQbj09
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 12, 2022
Check out the Celtics Lab podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
