Frank Ramsey: One of the Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
Contents
- Who is Frank Ramsey?
- Why is Frank Ramsey considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time?
- Ramsey’s early life and basketball career
- Ramsey’s time with the Boston Celtics
- Ramsey’s impact on the game of basketball
- Ramsey’s later years
- The legacy of Frank Ramsey
- 10 things you didn’t know about Frank Ramsey
- Top 10 Frank Ramsey moments
- Quotes from those who knew Frank Ramsey best
Frank Ramsey was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. A versatile 6’3″ guard, he was a key member of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won seven NBA championships in the 1950s and 1960s. Ramsey was also a superb shooter, averaging over 50% from the field for his career.
Who is Frank Ramsey?
Frank Ramsey was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 18, 1931. He was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played his entire professional career with the Boston Celtics winning seven NBA Championships Ramsey was also a member of the famed “Whiz Kids” team that won the 1950 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament After his playing career, Ramsey served as Head Coach of the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association (ABA). He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Why is Frank Ramsey considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time?
Frank Ramsey was a retired American professional basketball player He played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1954 to 1964. He was considered one of the best players of his era and was a seven-time NBA All-Star Ramsey was also a member of the Celtics teams that won eight NBA championships including seven in a row from 1959 to 1965.
Ramsey’s defensive abilities were particularly lauded. He has been described as “the perfect defensive player”, and was known for his adeptness at stealing the ball. Histotal of 2,021 career steals is an NBA record that still stands today. He is also one of only four players in NBA history to average at least 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game in their career, along with Oscar Robertson John Havlicek, and Michael Jordan
Ramsey’s impact on the game of basketball is still evident today; his accomplishments have been lauded by some of the greatest players and coaches in the history of the sport. Bill Russell who played with Ramsey on the Celtics and later coached him, has called Ramsey “one of the best all-around players [he has] ever seen”. Jerry West another former teammate, has said that Ramsey was “probably as good as there ever was defensively”. current Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has called Ramsey “a phenomenalplayer”, while former Celtic Kevin McHale has called him “an incredible defender”. Lakers legend Magic Johnson has said that Ramsey was “way ahead of his time” and that he would have been an All-Star even in today’s game.
Ramsey’s early life and basketball career
Frank Ramsey was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1931. He was raised in a middle-class family and attended public schools. His father died when he was young, and his mother remarried when he was a teenager. Ramsey’s basketball career began at Boston College where he played on the freshman team. He then transferred to the University of Kentucky where he played for the varsity team for three years. After graduating from Kentucky, Ramsey was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1953 NBA draft He played for the Celtics for nine seasons, winning seven championships. He is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Ramsey’s time with the Boston Celtics
Frank Ramsey was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1953 and would go on to play for the team until 1964. He was an important part of the Celtics’ dynasty in the late 1950s and early 1960s, winning seven championships with the team. Ramsey was known for his defense and his ability to score from anywhere on the court. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Ramsey’s impact on the game of basketball
Frank Ramsey is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. A versatile 6-foot-3-inch guard/forward, Ramsey was known for his shooting, defense, and rebounding. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky where he was a two-time All-American. Ramsey then went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Boston Celtics winning seven NBA championships
Ramsey’s impact on the game of basketball cannot be overstated. He was one of the first players to truly showcase the ability to play both ends of the court at a high level. Ramsey was also known for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly demeanor, setting the standard for how professional athletes should conduct themselves both on and off the court.
Ramsey’s later years
After his years at Kentucky came to an end, Ramsey was selected with the 6th pick in the first round of the 1953 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics He would go on to have a successful career with the Celtics, winning seven NBA Championships over the course of his 10 seasons with the team. He was also named to the All-Star team eight times and was voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996. Although his playing career came to an end in 1964, Ramsey remained active in the game of basketball, serving as a Head Coach and Assistant Coach at various levels before finally retiring from coaching in 1977.
The legacy of Frank Ramsey
Frank Ramsey was one of the Greatest Basketball Players of all time. He was a 6’3” shooting guard who played for the Boston Celtics from 1954 to 1964. He was an All-Star seven times and a member of the famed “Celtics Dynasty” that won eight NBA Championships in a row from 1959 to 1966. Ramsey was also part of the gold medal winning United States men’s basketball team at the 1952 Summer Olympics
After his retirement from playing, Ramsey coached at Kentucky State University and then returned to the Celtics as a broadcaster. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Ramsey was known for his shooting ability, defense, and clutch play. He was an excellent passer and a good rebounder for his size. He was able to play both guard positions and small forward Ramsey was an important player on both Offense and defense for the Celtics dynasty teams of the 1960s.
Although he retired from playing over 50 years ago, Frank Ramsey is still considered one of the greatest players in Basketball History
10 things you didn’t know about Frank Ramsey
Here are 10 facts about the life of one of basketball’s lesser-known legends, Frank Ramsey.
1. He was born in Franklin, Kentucky, in 1931.
2. He was a member of the famed “Fearsome Foursome” of Kentucky’s all-star Basketball team
3. Ramsey was drafted in the first round by the Boston Celtics in 1953.
4. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1954.
5. Ramsey played on seven NBA Championship teams with the Celtics.
6. He was named to the NBA All-Star Team in 1960.
7. Ramsey’s number 23 was retired by the Celtics in 1964, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981.
8. After his retirement from playing, Ramsey coached at Kentucky and then served as the General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks from 1968 to 1976.
9. Ramsey suffered a stroke in 1998 and died a year later at the age of 67.
10. In 2012, he was posthumously inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame ”
Top 10 Frank Ramsey moments
Frank Ramsey was one of the greatest Basketball Players of all time. He was a key player on the Boston Celtics teams that won seven championships in the 1950s and is considered one of the best Defensive Players ever. Here are 10 of Ramsey’s most memorable moments:
1. Ramsey’s first championship: The Celtics defeated the Minneapolis Lakers in seven games in the 1957 NBA Finals Ramsey scored 14 points in Game 7, including the go-ahead basket with less than two minutes remaining.
2. Ramsey’s second championship: The Celtics won their second title in 1958, defeating the St. Louis Hawks in six games. Ramsey had a key steal and score late in Game 6 to help seal the victory.
3. Ramsey’s third championship: The Celtics won their third consecutive title in 1959, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Ramsey was named Finals MVP after averaging 15 points per game
4. Ramsey’s fourth championship: The Celtics won their fourth title in 1960, defeating the Hawks in seven games. Ramsey had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the deciding Game 7 victory.
5. Ramsey’s fifth championship: The Celtics won their fifth title in 1961, defeating the Warriors in six games. Ramsey was once again named Finals MVP after averaging 16 points per game
6. Ramsey’s sixth championship: The Celtics won their sixth title in 1962, defeating the Lakers in seven games. Ramsey scored 20 points in the decisive Game 7 victory, including four Free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
7. Ramsey’s seventh championship: The Celtics won their seventh title in 1963, defeating the Hawks in six games. Ramsey had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the deciding Game 6 victory, helping cement his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time
Quotes from those who knew Frank Ramsey best
Frank Ramsey was one of the most talented basketball players of his generation. A 6’3″ guard/forward, Ramsey was known for his incredible shooting touch and his ability to play above the rim. He was a starter on the Boston Celtics’ first championship team, and he went on to win seven more titles with the franchise.
Ramsey was also known for his kindness and humility off the court. His former teammate, Bob Cousy, once said of Ramsey: “He was the perfect teammate — always upbeat, never complained, and he had this amazing ability to make everyone around him better.”
Another former teammate, Tom Heinsohn, said of Ramsey: “Frank was such a gentle soul. He never raised his voice, never complained about anything. He was just a joy to be around.”
Ramsey’s wife, Jeanie, recalled Ramsey as “a humble man who never saw himself as better than anyone else.” She added: “He was always quick to give credit to others and quick to deflect any praise that came his way.”
Frank Ramsey passed away in 2013 at the age of 86. He is remembered by those who knew him as a fiercely competitive basketball player and an even better person.