Frank Ramsey

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Lore & Background

Red Auerbach created the Sixth Man concept specifically for Ramsey. Although Ramsey was one of the Celtics' best players, he felt more comfortable coming off the bench while Auerbach wanted him fresh to close out close games. This strategy turned the reserve unit into a championship-caliber force. In his eight seasons after military service, Ramsey was part of seven title teams (1957, 1959–1964). His best statistical year came in 1957–1958, where he averaged 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. That season marked the only time post-military that the Celtics failed to win the NBA title, losing to the Bob Pettit-led St. Louis Hawks, who ironically featured Ramsey's former college teammate Cliff Hagan.

In Their Own Story

Ramsey's path to Boston began at the University of Kentucky, where he helped win the 1951 NCAA Championship with a 68–58 victory over Kansas State. His senior year was derailed by a point-shaving scandal that forced the team to forfeit his final season, though he still graduated in 1953. Despite the suspension of the season, Ramsey and teammates Cliff Hagan and Lou Tsioropoulos were drafted by Boston. They returned for one more year at Kentucky, finishing with a perfect 25–0 record, but NCAA rules prevented them from playing in the post-season. After his military service interrupted his rookie NBA season (1954–1955), Ramsey rejoined the team and became the engine of their rotation. He played 623 career games, scoring 8,378 points for a 13.4 average, bridging the gap between Kentucky's collegiate dominance and Boston's professional supremacy.

Reader's Guide

To understand Frank Ramsey, look at his versatility as a swingman who averaged 19.6 points per game during his final college season on a perfect 25–0 team. His NBA legacy is defined by the specific role of entering games to provide scoring and stability without starting. While he won seven championships with Boston, his career also included a brief head coaching stint in the ABA. In the 1970–71 season, Ramsey coached the Kentucky Colonels, leading them to the ABA Finals where they lost to Bill Sharman's Utah Stars over seven games. He famously commuted from Madisonville by plane and even brought an oxygen tank (which reportedly had no oxygen) to handle Denver's altitude. His #23 is retired by Boston, while his #30 is retired by Kentucky.

Did You Know?

• Ramsey was drafted in the first round, while his college teammates Cliff Hagan and Lou Tsioropoulos were picked in the third and seventh rounds respectively by the Celtics.
• After graduating in 1953, Ramsey returned to Kentucky for one final season on a perfect 25–0 team that was banned from the NCAA Tournament due to rules prohibiting graduate students from post-season play.
• As an ABA coach for the Kentucky Colonels in 1970–71, Ramsey commuted daily by plane from his home in Madisonville rather than moving to Louisville.
• Ramsey's best NBA season (16.5 ppg) was the only post-military year Boston did not win a championship, losing the Finals to the St. Louis Hawks.
• During the 2005 tornado that destroyed his Madisonville home, Ramsey was found unhurt while one of his plaques was discovered miles away.