Weitzman, Rick

Richard L. Weitzman

Weitzman played with the Boston Celtics in 1967-68 when they won the NBA Championship. He is a member of the Northeastern University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. April 30, 1946

Career Highlights:
Before playing professionally, Weitzman was a terrific player at Northeastern in the mid-1960s. In 1964-65, the Huskies went 13-11 and Weitzman was named Sophomore of the Year by the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) and set a school single-season field goal percentage record. The following year, he was the team's MVP, leading the Huskies in scoring (14.3 points per game), and to a record of 18-8. In 1967, Weitzman was team captain, averaging 13.0 points per game, and Northeastern went 22-4, its best record to date. During his college career, Weitzman was named All-New England and All-East as Northeastern had a combined 63-23 record. He finished sixth in school history with 903 points (12.0 average), and was still 32nd all-time as of December, 2000.

After graduating, Weitzman was selected in the 10th round (110th overall) of the 1967 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. The Celtics had won eight straight NBA titles from 1959-1966, but in 1967 that streak was broken when the Philadelphia 76ers (led by Wilt Chamberlain) won the championship. Around the league, many fans figured the Celtics dynasty was over, but with such future Hall of Famers as player/coach Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, and Satch Sanders, the Celtics were still a powerhouse to be reckoned with. During the 1967-68 season, the NBA expanded to 12 teams and played a 82-game schedule for the first time. After finishing with a record of 54-28, the Celtics defeated the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals and then beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, 4 games to 2, to win their 10th championship in 12 years.

Weitzman appeared in 25 games for the Celtics that year, but ankle injuries slowed him down and there were a number of gifted players on the roster ahead of him. Still, for a tenth round pick to play on the best team in the world, is quite an accomplishment. Following the season, Rick was forced to retire due to a recurring ankle injury, but he remained with the organization in other capacities. Weitzman worked with Johny Most on the Celtics' radio, then served as Director of Scouting through 1997. In 1999, he became a scout for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA.

Origin:
unknown

Career Dates:
Weitzman played guard at Northeastern from 1964-67, and in the NBA with the Boston Celtics in 1967-68.

Physical description:
6'2", 185 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NBA:
Games: 25
Points: 33
Points Per Game: 1.3

Field Goals Made: 12
Field Goals Attempted: 46
Field Goal Percentage: .261

Free Throws Made: 9
Free Throws Attempted: 13
Free Throw Percentage: .692

Rebounds: 10
Rebounds Per Game: 0.4
Assists: 8
Assists Per Game: 0.3
Personal Fouls: 8
Disqualifications: 0

NBA playoffs:
Games: 3
Points: 4
Points Per Game: 1.3

Field Goals Made: 2
Field Goals Attempted: 3
Field Goal Percentage: .667

Free Throws Made: 0
Free Throws Attempted: 0
Free Throw Percentage: .000

Rebounds: 1
Rebounds Per Game: 0.3
Assists: 1
Assists Per Game: 0.3

Personal Fouls: 0
Disqualifications: 0

< Previous |  Next >