The National Basketball Association playoffs officially kicked off this year on April 18, marking the most exciting time to be a basketball fan. Given Brandeis’ proximity to Boston, it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement of the NBA postseason, especially when it’s with a historic franchise like the Boston Celtics. It’s not often that the whirlwind of Boston sports culture makes its way to our university, which is why The Justice Editorial Board would like to thank Brandeis University for bringing Celtics star and reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Payton Pritchard, to campus. 

Students might not know that the Celtics and Brandeis have a storied history together — the team used Gosman Athletics Center as a practice gym from 1991-98. The Celtics would practice in the Red Auerbach Arena which was previously inscribed with Auerbach’s signature before it was renovated. Players were also at home among student life, with some using the weight rooms or tennis courts and Larry Bird notably being fond of the batting cages. In the offseason, the Celtics would scrimmage against the Brandeis men’s basketball team and offer advice to the younger players. Gosman was also the location that Celtics’ Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Smart, chose for his youth training camp in 2014. Smart reportedly stayed for the entire tenure of the camp and took hundreds of photos. Brandeis faculty also has access to Celtics tickets every year and has a reserved section diagonal to one of the baskets. 

Payton Pritchard came to Gosman last Thursday, April 16 to shoot promotional footage and work out with the men’s basketball team, who he gave shoes and other merchandise to. He also stayed briefly to talk to other students and take pictures before departing. Pleasant surprises like a Celtics star at Gosman, Zara Larsson performing for Springfest or even just a few food trucks on campus are greatly appreciated by the student body and help to remind us why we chose Brandeis.