Last Updated on July 30, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
League Search Page > NBA > Boston Celtics > Roster & Statistics
The Boston Celtics 1956–57 featured a balanced offense led by Bill Sharman and Tom Heinsohn, while Bob Cousy served as the team’s primary playmaker and offensive catalyst. Rookie Bill Russell immediately transformed the frontcourt with elite rebounding and defensive impact, complementing the veteran core. The statistics reflect a deep, unselfish team that thrived through ball movement, rebounding, and well-distributed scoring across the lineup.
Roster
| No. | Player | Pos | Height | Weight | Birth Date | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Bill Russell | C | 6’10” | 215 lb | Feb 12, 1934 | San Francisco |
| 17 | Bob Cousy | G | 6’1″ | 175 lb | Aug 9, 1928 | Holy Cross |
| 21 | Togo Palazzi | F | 6’4″ | 205 lb | Aug 8, 1932 | Holy Cross |
| 19 | Jim Loscutoff | F | 6’5″ | 210 lb | Feb 4, 1930 | Oregon |
| 6 | Bill Sharman | G | 6’1″ | 175 lb | May 25, 1926 | USC |
| 23 | Arnie Risen | C | 6’9″ | 200 lb | Oct 9, 1924 | Ohio State |
| 24 | Dick Hemric | F | 6’6″ | 220 lb | Aug 29, 1933 | Wake Forest |
| 22 | Tom Heinsohn | F | 6’7″ | 218 lb | Aug 26, 1934 | Holy Cross |
| 18 | Lou Tsioropoulos | F | 6’5″ | 200 lb | Aug 31, 1930 | Kentucky |
| 14 | Jack Turner | G | 6’2″ | 180 lb | Jun 29, 1930 | Louisville |
| — | Red Auerbach (Coach) | — | — | — | Sep 20, 1917 | George Washington |
Regular Season Per Game
| PLR | POS | AGE | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Sharman | SG | 30 | 67 | — | 35.9 | 21.1 | 4.3 | 3.5 | — | — | — | 18.5 | 7.7 | .416 | — | — | — | 6.3 | 5.7 | .905 |
| Bob Cousy | PG | 28 | 64 | — | 36.9 | 20.6 | 4.8 | 7.5 | — | — | — | 19.8 | 7.5 | .378 | — | — | — | 6.9 | 5.7 | .821 |
| Tom Heinsohn | PF | 22 | 72 | — | 29.9 | 16.2 | 9.8 | 1.6 | — | — | — | 15.6 | 6.2 | .397 | — | — | — | 4.8 | 3.8 | .790 |
| Bill Russell | C | 22 | 48 | — | 35.3 | 14.7 | 19.6 | 1.8 | — | — | — | 13.5 | 5.8 | .427 | — | — | — | 6.4 | 3.2 | .492 |
| Frank Ramsey | SG | 25 | 35 | — | 23.1 | 11.9 | 5.1 | 1.9 | — | — | — | 10.0 | 3.9 | .393 | — | — | — | 5.2 | 4.1 | .791 |
| Jim Loscutoff | SF | 26 | 70 | — | 31.7 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 1.3 | — | — | — | 12.7 | 4.4 | .345 | — | — | — | 2.7 | 1.9 | .706 |
| Jack Nichols | PF | 30 | 61 | — | 22.5 | 8.2 | 6.1 | 1.4 | — | — | — | 8.8 | 3.2 | .363 | — | — | — | 2.2 | 1.8 | .794 |
| Arnie Risen | C | 32 | 43 | — | 21.7 | 8.0 | 6.7 | 1.2 | — | — | — | 7.1 | 2.8 | .388 | — | — | — | 3.6 | 2.5 | .679 |
| Dick Hemric | PF | 23 | 67 | — | 15.7 | 5.4 | 4.5 | 0.6 | — | — | — | 4.7 | 1.6 | .344 | — | — | — | 3.1 | 2.2 | .695 |
| Togo Palazzi | SF | 24 | 21 | — | 11.1 | 5.0 | 3.6 | 0.4 | — | — | — | 5.6 | 2.0 | .347 | — | — | — | 1.5 | 1.1 | .719 |
| Andy Phillip | PG | 34 | 67 | — | 22.0 | 4.4 | 2.7 | 2.5 | — | — | — | 4.1 | 1.6 | .379 | — | — | — | 2.0 | 1.3 | .642 |
| Lou Tsioropoulos | SF | 26 | 52 | — | 12.9 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 0.6 | — | — | — | 4.9 | 1.5 | .309 | — | — | — | 1.7 | 1.3 | .775 |
| Totals | 72 | 26.1 | 105.5 | 68.9 | 20.3 | 101.8 | 39.0 | .383 | 36.7 | 27.5 | .750 |
Playoff Per Game
| PLR | POS | AGE | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Heinsohn | PF | 22 | 10 | — | 37.0 | 22.9 | 11.7 | 2.0 | — | — | — | 23.1 | 9.0 | .390 | — | — | — | 6.9 | 4.9 | .710 |
| Bill Sharman | SG | 30 | 10 | — | 37.7 | 21.1 | 3.5 | 2.9 | — | — | — | 19.7 | 7.5 | .381 | — | — | — | 6.4 | 6.1 | .953 |
| Bob Cousy | PG | 28 | 10 | — | 44.0 | 20.2 | 6.1 | 9.3 | — | — | — | 20.7 | 6.7 | .324 | — | — | — | 9.1 | 6.8 | .747 |
| Bill Russell | C | 22 | 10 | — | 40.9 | 13.9 | 24.4 | 3.2 | — | — | — | 14.8 | 5.4 | .365 | — | — | — | 6.1 | 3.1 | .508 |
| Frank Ramsey | SG | 25 | 10 | — | 22.9 | 12.2 | 4.3 | 1.7 | — | — | — | 8.2 | 3.8 | .463 | — | — | — | 5.9 | 4.6 | .780 |
| Jim Loscutoff | SF | 26 | 10 | — | 25.9 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 0.5 | — | — | — | 10.9 | 3.1 | .284 | — | — | — | 2.8 | 1.8 | .643 |
| Arnie Risen | C | 32 | 10 | — | 15.2 | 7.5 | 5.8 | 0.8 | — | — | — | 6.3 | 2.8 | .444 | — | — | — | 2.9 | 1.9 | .655 |
| Jack Nichols | PF | 30 | 10 | — | 11.7 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | — | — | — | 4.0 | 1.6 | .400 | — | — | — | 0.5 | 0.3 | .600 |
| Andy Phillip | PG | 34 | 10 | — | 12.8 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.7 | — | — | — | 2.2 | 0.8 | .364 | — | — | — | 1.5 | 0.6 | .400 |
| Dick Hemric | PF | 23 | 2 | — | 9.5 | 1.0 | 4.5 | 0.5 | — | — | — | 3.5 | 0.5 | .143 | — | — | — | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |
| Totals | 10 | 250.0 | 111.7 | 72.9 | 22.9 | 110.6 | 40.8 | .369 | 42.1 | 30.1 | .715 |
Regular Season Per 36 Minutes
| PLR | POS | AGE | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Sharman | SG | 30 | 67 | — | 35.9 | 21.2 | 4.3 | 3.5 | — | — | — | 18.6 | 7.7 | .416 | — | — | — | 6.3 | 5.7 | .905 |
| Bob Cousy | PG | 28 | 64 | — | 36.9 | 20.1 | 4.7 | 7.3 | — | — | — | 19.2 | 7.3 | .378 | — | — | — | 6.7 | 5.5 | .821 |
| Tom Heinsohn | PF | 22 | 72 | — | 29.9 | 19.5 | 11.8 | 2.0 | — | — | — | 18.8 | 7.5 | .397 | — | — | — | 5.7 | 4.5 | .790 |
| Frank Ramsey | SG | 25 | 35 | — | 23.1 | 18.6 | 7.9 | 3.0 | — | — | — | 15.6 | 6.1 | .393 | — | — | — | 8.1 | 6.4 | .791 |
| Togo Palazzi | SF | 24 | 21 | — | 11.1 | 16.2 | 11.6 | 1.2 | — | — | — | 18.2 | 6.3 | .347 | — | — | — | 4.9 | 3.6 | .719 |
| Bill Russell | C | 22 | 48 | — | 35.3 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 1.9 | — | — | — | 13.8 | 5.9 | .427 | — | — | — | 6.6 | 3.2 | .492 |
| Arnie Risen | C | 32 | 43 | — | 21.7 | 13.2 | 11.0 | 2.0 | — | — | — | 11.8 | 4.6 | .388 | — | — | — | 6.0 | 4.1 | .679 |
| Jack Nichols | PF | 30 | 61 | — | 22.5 | 13.1 | 9.8 | 2.2 | — | — | — | 14.1 | 5.1 | .363 | — | — | — | 3.6 | 2.8 | .794 |
| Dick Hemric | PF | 23 | 67 | — | 15.7 | 12.4 | 10.4 | 1.4 | — | — | — | 10.8 | 3.7 | .344 | — | — | — | 7.2 | 5.0 | .695 |
| Lou Tsioropoulos | SF | 26 | 52 | — | 12.9 | 12.2 | 11.1 | 1.8 | — | — | — | 13.8 | 4.2 | .309 | — | — | — | 4.8 | 3.7 | .775 |
| Jim Loscutoff | SF | 26 | 70 | — | 31.7 | 12.1 | 11.8 | 1.4 | — | — | — | 14.4 | 5.0 | .345 | — | — | — | 3.0 | 2.1 | .706 |
| Andy Phillip | PG | 34 | 67 | — | 22.0 | 7.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | — | — | — | 6.8 | 2.6 | .379 | — | — | — | 3.3 | 2.1 | .642 |
| Totals |
Playoff Per 36 Minutes
| PLR | POS | AGE | G | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Heinsohn | PF | 22 | 10 | — | 37.0 | 22.3 | 11.4 | 1.9 | — | — | — | 22.5 | 8.8 | .390 | — | — | — | 6.7 | 4.8 | .710 |
| Bill Sharman | SG | 30 | 10 | — | 37.7 | 20.1 | 3.3 | 2.8 | — | — | — | 18.8 | 7.2 | .381 | — | — | — | 6.1 | 5.8 | .953 |
| Frank Ramsey | SG | 25 | 10 | — | 22.9 | 19.2 | 6.8 | 2.7 | — | — | — | 12.9 | 6.0 | .463 | — | — | — | 9.3 | 7.2 | .780 |
| Arnie Risen | C | 32 | 10 | — | 15.2 | 17.8 | 13.7 | 1.9 | — | — | — | 14.9 | 6.6 | .444 | — | — | — | 6.9 | 4.5 | .655 |
| Bob Cousy | PG | 28 | 10 | — | 44.0 | 16.5 | 5.0 | 7.6 | — | — | — | 16.9 | 5.5 | .324 | — | — | — | 7.4 | 5.6 | .747 |
| Bill Russell | C | 22 | 10 | — | 40.9 | 12.2 | 21.5 | 2.8 | — | — | — | 13.0 | 4.8 | .365 | — | — | — | 5.4 | 2.7 | .508 |
| Jim Loscutoff | SF | 26 | 10 | — | 25.9 | 11.1 | 11.5 | 0.7 | — | — | — | 15.2 | 4.3 | .284 | — | — | — | 3.9 | 2.5 | .643 |
| Jack Nichols | PF | 30 | 10 | — | 11.7 | 10.8 | 5.2 | 2.2 | — | — | — | 12.3 | 4.9 | .400 | — | — | — | 1.5 | 0.9 | .600 |
| Andy Phillip | PG | 34 | 10 | — | 12.8 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 4.8 | — | — | — | 6.2 | 2.3 | .364 | — | — | — | 4.2 | 1.7 | .400 |
| Dick Hemric | PF | 23 | 2 | — | 9.5 | 3.8 | 17.1 | 1.9 | — | — | — | 13.3 | 1.9 | .143 | — | — | — | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |
| Totals |
Regular Season Totals
| PLR | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Sharman | — | 30 | 67 | — | 2403 | 1413 | 286 | 236 | — | — | — | 1241 | 516 | .416 | — | — | — | 421 | 381 | .905 |
| Bob Cousy | — | 28 | 64 | — | 2364 | 1319 | 309 | 478 | — | — | — | 1264 | 478 | .378 | — | — | — | 442 | 363 | .821 |
| Tom Heinsohn | — | 22 | 72 | — | 2150 | 1163 | 705 | 117 | — | — | — | 1123 | 446 | .397 | — | — | — | 343 | 271 | .790 |
| Jim Loscutoff | — | 26 | 70 | — | 2220 | 744 | 730 | 89 | — | — | — | 888 | 306 | .345 | — | — | — | 187 | 132 | .706 |
| Bill Russell | — | 22 | 48 | — | 1695 | 706 | 943 | 88 | — | — | — | 649 | 277 | .427 | — | — | — | 309 | 152 | .492 |
| Jack Nichols | — | 30 | 61 | — | 1372 | 498 | 374 | 85 | — | — | — | 537 | 195 | .363 | — | — | — | 136 | 108 | .794 |
| Frank Ramsey | — | 25 | 35 | — | 807 | 418 | 178 | 67 | — | — | — | 349 | 137 | .393 | — | — | — | 182 | 144 | .791 |
| Dick Hemric | — | 23 | 67 | — | 1055 | 364 | 304 | 42 | — | — | — | 317 | 109 | .344 | — | — | — | 210 | 146 | .695 |
| Arnie Risen | — | 32 | 43 | — | 935 | 344 | 286 | 53 | — | — | — | 307 | 119 | .388 | — | — | — | 156 | 106 | .679 |
| Andy Phillip | — | 34 | 67 | — | 1476 | 298 | 181 | 168 | — | — | — | 277 | 105 | .379 | — | — | — | 137 | 88 | .642 |
| Lou Tsioropoulos | — | 26 | 52 | — | 670 | 227 | 207 | 33 | — | — | — | 256 | 79 | .309 | — | — | — | 89 | 69 | .775 |
| Togo Palazzi | — | 24 | 21 | — | 233 | 105 | 75 | 8 | — | — | — | 118 | 41 | .347 | — | — | — | 32 | 23 | .719 |
| Totals | 72 | 17380 | 7599 | 4578 | 1464 | 7326 | 2808 | .383 | 2644 | 1983 | .750 |
Playoff Totals
| PLR | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Heinsohn | — | 22 | 10 | — | 370 | 229 | 117 | 20 | — | — | — | 231 | 90 | .390 | — | — | — | 69 | 49 | .710 |
| Bill Sharman | — | 30 | 10 | — | 377 | 211 | 35 | 29 | — | — | — | 197 | 75 | .381 | — | — | — | 64 | 61 | .953 |
| Bob Cousy | — | 28 | 10 | — | 440 | 202 | 61 | 93 | — | — | — | 207 | 67 | .324 | — | — | — | 91 | 68 | .747 |
| Bill Russell | — | 22 | 10 | — | 409 | 139 | 244 | 32 | — | — | — | 148 | 54 | .365 | — | — | — | 61 | 31 | .508 |
| Frank Ramsey | — | 25 | 10 | — | 229 | 122 | 43 | 17 | — | — | — | 82 | 38 | .463 | — | — | — | 59 | 46 | .780 |
| Jim Loscutoff | — | 26 | 10 | — | 259 | 80 | 83 | 5 | — | — | — | 109 | 31 | .284 | — | — | — | 28 | 18 | .643 |
| Arnie Risen | — | 32 | 10 | — | 152 | 75 | 58 | 8 | — | — | — | 63 | 28 | .444 | — | — | — | 29 | 19 | .655 |
| Jack Nichols | — | 30 | 10 | — | 117 | 35 | 17 | 7 | — | — | — | 40 | 16 | .400 | — | — | — | 5 | 3 | .600 |
| Andy Phillip | — | 34 | 10 | — | 128 | 22 | 20 | 17 | — | — | — | 22 | 8 | .364 | — | — | — | 15 | 6 | .400 |
| Dick Hemric | — | 23 | 2 | — | 19 | 2 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | .143 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Totals | 10 | 2500 | 1117 | 687 | 229 | 1106 | 408 | .369 | 421 | 301 | .715 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG+BPG) | Impact Index* | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Cousy | Lead Facilitator & Scoring PG | 36.9 | High | 20.6 | 4.8 | 7.5 | Unavailable (pre-STL/SPG) | 16.5 | Architect of Boston’s transition-offense; topped team assists while sustaining high scoring volume, redefining point guard two-way impact. | MVP-1, All-Star, All-NBA 1 |
| Bill Sharman | Primary Scorer & Shooting Guard | 35.9 | High | 21.1 | 4.3 | 3.5 | Unavailable | 14.5 | Efficient wing scorer with elite free-throw accuracy; one of league’s top perimeter threats and focal scoring option. | All-Star, All-NBA 1 |
| Bill Russell | Defensive Anchor & Rebounder | 35.3 | Medium | 14.7 | 19.6 | 1.8 | Unavailable | 17.0 | Dominant rebound and defensive presence transformed Celtics defense; cornerstone of team identity after Auerbach trade. | MVP-7 |
| Tom Heinsohn | Frontcourt Scorer & Inside Finisher | 29.9 | Medium | 16.2 | 9.8 | 1.6 | Unavailable | 13.8 | Rookie scoring and rebounding blend added reliable frontcourt punch; immediate impact in post play. | ROY-1, All-Star |
| Jim Loscutoff | Tough Forward / Rebounder | 31.7 | Medium | 10.6 | 10.4 | 1.3 | Unavailable | 11.2 | Physical interior presence and rebounding workhorse; often guarded opposing frontcourt’s best. | |
| Frank Ramsey | Sixth Man Scorer | 23.1 | Medium | 11.9 | 5.1 | 1.9 | Unavailable | 9.5 | Key reserve scorer with versatile offensive fits; provided scoring bursts off the bench. | |
| Jack Nichols | Backup Forward / Interior Role | 22.5 | Low | 8.2 | 6.1 | 1.4 | Unavailable | 7.9 | Supported frontcourt depth with spot scoring and interior rebounding. | |
| Arnie Risen | Reserve Big Man | 21.7 | Low | 8.0 | 6.7 | 1.2 | Unavailable | 7.9 | Veteran presence in limited run; provided occasional scoring and size. | |
| Andy Phillip | Backup Facilitator | 22.0 | Low | 4.4 | 2.7 | 2.5 | Unavailable | 4.8 | Veteran guard with modest playmaking in reduced role. | |
| Dick Hemric | Spot Minutes Rebounder | 15.7 | Low | 5.4 | 4.5 | 0.6 | Unavailable | 5.3 | Offered rebounding support in limited minutes. | |
| Lou Tsioropoulos | Role Wing | 12.9 | Low | 4.4 | 4.0 | 0.6 | Unavailable | 4.5 | Played energy minutes with modest all-around contributions. | |
| Togo Palazzi | Development Wing | 11.1 | Low | 5.0 | 3.6 | 0.4 | Unavailable | 4.5 | Young rotational wing gaining early NBA experience. |