Walter Brown
Inducted:
1965
Stats
Born
February 10, 1905
Hopkinton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died
September 7, 1964
Hyannis, Massachusetts, U.S.
Position
Contributor
College
Phillips Exeter Academy (1923-1926)
Walter A. Brown was a major figure in the early growth of professional basketball and one of the founding forces behind the Boston Celtics. As president of the Boston Garden, he helped establish the Basketball Association of America in 1946 and played a key role in the 1949 merger that created the NBA. Brown founded the Celtics in 1946 and served as their original owner and president, guiding the franchise through its early years.
He also helped bring the first NBA All-Star Game to Boston in 1951. Brown supported racial integration in professional basketball and played an important role in the Celtics selecting Chuck Cooper, the first Black player drafted by an NBA team, in 1950. During his ownership, Boston won six championships in the seven years between 1957 and 1964. His influence reached beyond the Celtics and helped shape the league itself.
Brown was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1965 as a contributor.
Hobson's Awards and Honor
- Founded the Boston Celtics in 1946
- Helped establish the Basketball Association of America
- Helped create the NBA through the 1949 BAA–NBL merger
- Pioneered NBA Integration
- 6× NBA Champion as Celtics owner
- Originated the first NBA All-Star Game in 1951
NBA Teams
As Manager
Boston Celtics (1946–1964)
As Co-Founder
Basketball Association of America (BAA)- 1946
NBA Stats
Boston Garden President:
1937–1964
Boston Celtics Founded:
1946
Celtics Owner and President:
1946–1964
Helped establish the BAA:
1946
Helped form the NBA:
1949
NBA championships as Celtics owner:
6