Satch Sanders

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Lore & Background

Sanders spent his entire 13-year NBA career with the Boston Celtics after starring at New York University. His most spectacular individual performance occurred on March 13, 1962, when he scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in a 142–110 win over the Syracuse Nationals. He was part of the eight championship teams secured between 1961 and 1969 (specifically 1961–66, 1968, and 1969). Only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones won more rings during their playing careers, though John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, and K. C. Jones also matched his eight titles. Sanders' tenure ended after he injured his left knee during the final regular-season game in 1970; he underwent surgery that immensely affected his ability to play before announcing his retirement in 1973.

In Their Own Story

Beyond the court, Sanders founded a housing development group called Sanders Associates. On March 20, 1968, this group received a $996,000 FHA commitment through the Boston Rehabilitation Program (BURP) to rehabilitate 83 units in Roxbury, Massachusetts. This initiative followed criticism from local community activists like Mel King regarding BURP's lack of sufficient community control and racial equity. Sanders purchased the dilapidated buildings 'for the social thing,' believing Black residents should do more to help their own community. However, he admitted that 'from a business standpoint, it was a disaster.' His utility bills exceeded the rents collected, and even after the Boston Rent Control Board approved one increase, he still needed another. Ultimately, the bank foreclosed on him, and HUD took over ownership.

Reader's Guide

Following his playing days, Sanders became the basketball coach at Harvard University, holding the position until 1977, where he became the first African-American to serve as a head coach of any sport in the Ivy League. In 1978, he returned to the NBA as head coach of the Boston Celtics, taking over for former teammate Tommy Heinsohn. He returned the following season but was replaced by Dave Cowens after a 2–12 record; Cowens took on the role as a player-coach. In 1986, Sanders founded the Rookie Transition Program, establishing the first such program in any major American sport.

Did You Know?

• Sanders is one of only three NBA players with an unsurpassed 8–0 record in NBA Finals series.
• He scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in a single game against the Syracuse Nationals on March 13, 1962.
• In 1978, Sanders became head coach of the Boston Celtics but was replaced after a 2–12 start.
• Sanders founded the Rookie Transition Program in 1986, the first of its kind in any major American sport.
• He became the first African-American to serve as a head coach of any sport in the Ivy League at Harvard.