WASHINGTON (AP) — On Thursday, the White House glowed a vibrant green as President Joe Biden, whose Secret Service code name is Celtic, welcomed “Coach Joe” Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics to the South Lawn in celebration of the franchise’s historic 18th NBA championship.
This longstanding tradition started when Bill Russell’s 1963 Celtics visited President John F. Kennedy. During the ceremony, Biden took the opportunity to not only congratulate the 2024 champions but also to give them a tour of the Oval Office. Notably, the Celtics have captured at least one title during eight out of the last 13 presidential administrations, solidifying their status as the league’s most successful franchise.
“The Celtics aren’t just a basketball team; they’re a way of life,” Biden shared with enthusiasm, quoting the team’s legendary patriarch, Red Auerbach. He was then presented with a No. 46 jersey by All-Star Jayson Tatum and guard Derrick White, further adding to the day’s celebratory spirit. Biden proudly stated, “My Secret Service code name is Celtic. For real. Because I’m Irish. Everybody behind me is Irish at heart. I feel a special pride in this trophy. From this old Irish Celtic, to all you Celtics, congratulations.”
Reflecting on his experiences, Biden expressed a connection with Mazzulla, who won the championship at just 35 years old in his second season as head coach. “Joe’s the youngest head coach to win a title since the great Bill Russell,” Biden remarked. He humorously noted, “I told him I used to be the youngest and now I’m the oldest. I liked being the youngest better.”
The festivities included a lively band playing “Shipping up to Boston” as Biden and team owner Wyc Grousbeck stood on the risers facing the iconic Washington Monument, with green lights illuminating the White House behind them. Notable attendees included Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and most of the state’s congressional delegation.
Derrick White expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “I didn’t really know what to expect. I walked in, and I was like, ‘I’m more excited than I thought I was going to be.’ To be in the White House, where all the decisions— all the cool things— are happening, that was the best part.”
In a lighthearted moment, Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca mentioned how Biden’s 4-year-old grandson, Beau Jr., tried on his championship ring. Additionally, Oshae Brissett, who was a member of the 2024 championship team but is not currently with the Celtics, attended the ceremony to receive his championship ring.
Biden also received a special commemorative basketball, which he playfully tossed to Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, who was seated in the front row, before passing it to Celtics center Al Horford. White noted the challenge of making passes in a suit, saying, “I wasn’t expecting a pump fake. It’s harder to make a pass in a suit, so I was impressed.”
Knowledgeable about the Celtics’ recent success, Biden highlighted their impressive 64 wins during the regular season last year—their best performance since their 2008 championship and the fourth-best in franchise history. The team also excelled in the playoffs, finishing with a 16-3 record, including a decisive five-game series against the Dallas Mavericks.
Moreover, Biden acknowledged an impressive statistic about the ’24 Celtics, recognizing that they had the highest ratio of points per possession in NBA history—a data point that thrilled team vice president and statistics expert Mike Zarren. Zarren later shared on X, “The basketball stats community has come a long way: the President of the United States is talking about points per possession!”
After the main event, members of the Celtics organization returned to the White House to discuss pressing social issues with administration officials, including “Raise the Age,” which aims to treat 18- to 20-year-olds as juveniles in the criminal justice system, and “Curbside Care,” a program that provides medical help to new mothers in underserved communities.
Speaking afterwards, Grousbeck termed the day “very exciting and moving.” He acknowledged that while the team was initially focused on the banner and opening night, the event brought a sense of celebration to everyone involved, including Mazzulla. “Joe doesn’t want us to dwell too much on the past. He wants everyone to focus on moving forward. Having said that, everyone here, including Joe, seemed to have a great time,” he remarked.
In an amusing twist, Zarren recounted a conversation he had with a Secret Service agent who eagerly anticipated the Celtics’ visit after having endured the Golden State Warriors’ ceremony two years prior. “He told them it was a bittersweet moment because he wished his Celtics were here. They assured him, ‘Don’t worry, they’ll be here soon,’” Zarren said, reflecting on the joy of the moment for die-hard Celtics fans.
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