Don Nelson

American basketball player and coach who won 5 NBA championships as a player with the Boston Celtics and became the NBA's all-time winningest coach

Donald Arvid Nelson was born in Muskegon, Michigan in 1940. He bounced between teams before the Boston Celtics claimed him off waivers for $1,000 in 1965 — one of the greatest value acquisitions in NBA history. His 11 Celtics seasons produced five championships (1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976). He averaged 10.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. His most famous moment came in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals against Los Angeles — his last-second shot that bounced high off the rim and through the net, clinching the championship for Boston. After retirement he became one of basketball's most innovative coaches — inventing positionless basketball, the point forward and small-ball lineups that became the template for modern NBA offences. He won three NBA Coach of the Year awards and compiled 1,335 victories — third all-time. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 as both player and coach. His coaching influence on modern NBA strategy is incalculable — virtually every concept that defines the contemporary game traces to Nellie Ball.

Smart forward who became innovative coach emphasizing fast pace and unconventional lineups

Revolutionary coach who changed NBA strategy and one of few inducted to Hall of Fame as both player and coach

• NBA Champion 5x (1966,1968,1969,1974,1976)
• NBA Coach of Year 3x
• 1,335 coaching victories
• Hall of Fame (2012, player and coach)