On this date: the birth of Don Barksdale Bostons first playoff victory and the 1959 draft

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Don Barksdale a former forward for the Boston Celtics was born in Oakland California on this date in 1923.

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The first black All-American in NCAA history he would play his collegiate game at UCLA.

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After that he went on to play in the NBA and became the first African-American to win an Olympic gold medal in 1948.

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The Oakland product averaged 9 points 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists during his two seasons with Boston before ankle problems terminated his playing career.

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It happened in the Basketball Association of America versus the now-defunct Chicago Stags (BAA – a precursor league to the NBA)

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Boston won the match 81-77 but fell short in the series 2-1 in the 1947–48 postseason.

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The 1959 NBA draft took place on this day in Cincinnati Ohio.

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Two noteworthy players were selected by the Celtics at the tournament. The first was NC States John Richter who was selected eighth overall.

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Boston Celtics player Gene Conley (left) grabs a rebound out of the reach of Gene Guarilia.

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During their NBA match at the Boston Garden on February 26 1960 Rudy LaRusseo of the Minneapolis Lakers moves out of the way.

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Celtics player John Richter is observing the action in the top right corner. 128–111 was the final score in favor of the Celts. Picture by Peter J. Carroll/AP

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Guarilia who averaged 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in his career at that time won a championship with Boston each of those seasons.

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