WASHINGTON, D.C. — The guest list was longer than the list of achievements President Joe Biden ran through when introducing the 2023-24 NBA champion Boston Celtics.
“The winningest franchise in league history,” the President said.
“A record 18 titles.”
“64 wins, the best record in the league last year.”
“More points per possession than any team in NBA history.”
The accolades kept coming—just like the crowd, which was so large the White House had to move the celebration to the South Lawn.
“I think this is one of the largest groups to ever come together in the White House to celebrate a championship. Far larger than 2008,” Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca said. “Every Senator, Congressperson, person in the government of Massachusetts, the President, our players, it was just a very emotional and uplifting day.”
That emotion—along with some hot apple cider—helped distract the hundreds in attendance from the mid-November chill. With the Larry O’Brien Trophy glistening in the sunset and a green tint lighting the south end of the White House, it was the perfect evening to celebrate the team’s 18th championship and Celtic pride as a whole.
“You all know what the great Red Auerbach said. The Celtics aren’t just a basketball team; they are a way of life,” Biden told the crowd after he fittingly revealed that his Secret Service name is “Celtic.”
“All of you may not know this, but my Secret Service name is Celtic. For real, because I’m Irish,” Biden said. “Everybody behind me is Irish in their heart. I feel a special pride in this trophy. From this old Irish Celtic to all of you Celtics, Congratulations.”
As the players descended the White House steps, the U.S. Marine Band played the Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” a staple of TD Garden. Senator Ed Markey sported a Celtics scarf in the crowd, while Governor Maura Healey wore a green Celtics shirt.
“The Celtics are a part of my life; they’re a part of the life of the city of Boston,” Markey said, “And today, the whole country recognizes excellence.”
Biden, reflecting on his career as one of the youngest U.S. senators in history and now the nation’s oldest President, gave a special shoutout to head coach Joe Mazzulla, who became the ninth-youngest coach to win a title and the youngest since Bill Russell won one with Boston as player-coach in 1969.
“Joe’s the youngest head coach to win a title since the great Bill Russell,” said Biden. “I told him I used to be the youngest, and now I’m the oldest. I liked being the youngest better.”
The President praised the Celtics’ management and coaches for assembling “one of the deepest teams of all time,” highlighting Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and “Big Al.” Before handing the stage over to owner Wyc Grousbeck, he emphasized it one more time.
“Really, Wyc. Congratulations, man, you’ve got a hell of a ball club,” Biden told Grousbeck.
For the players, coaches, and executives, it was the culmination of years of hard work and a childhood dream come to life—something every kid who picks up a basketball imagines, but only a few get to experience.
“I didn’t really know what to expect,” White said. “I was just kind of looking forward to it, and when we walked in, I was, like, a little more excited than I thought I’d be. It was just a lot of excitement just to be in the White House – all the decisions and stuff that go in there.”
It was a day packed with once-in-a-lifetime moments—a tour of the Oval Office, a walk around the White House, and President Biden snapping a selfie with Grousbeck, his wife Emilia, and Mazzulla. The Secret Service also added some fascinating history lessons along the way.
“One of The Secret Service [members] was giving JB a history lesson, and I walked over there and listened to the stories,” said White. “Just all the different pictures, why they’re up there, and how they got there. Just hearing different stories like that was really cool.”
The Celtics also welcomed back Oshae Brissett – one of two players (Svi Mykhailiuk) who did not return from last year’s championship team. The 26-year-old declined his $2.5 million player option with the Celtics over the offseason and remains a free agent.
“It was really cool to see Brissy again and have him be here and a part of it,” White said. “Obviously, he was a big member of our team last year, so it was great to have him here and get the old gang back together.”
“Fun to see Oshae Brissett here,” added Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Zarren. “It was cool for him. We got him his ring. That was a neat moment.”
Although the speaking portion of the ceremony lasted only about 12 minutes, the memories will last a lifetime. It marked their final public celebration of the championship and the honor of joining the select few to walk down those cream-colored marble stairs as champions – a tradition that began in the NBA with the 1962-63 Boston Celtics, at the invitation of John F. Kennedy.
Now, the focus shifts back to doing it all over again. The journey resumes with a shootaround Friday morning at Georgetown University, followed by a date with the Washington Wizards later that evening.
“This was a very exciting and moving day,” Grousbeck said. “We had not been focused on this. We got through the banner and opening night, and then it was all business, led by Joe [Mazzulla]. Joe doesn’t want us to dwell too much on the past. He wants us to move forward. Having said that, everyone here, including Joe, seemed to have a great time.”
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